Lincolnshire Police enters into partnership covering middle and back office functions

Lincolnshire Police Authority has selected security firm G4S as a preferred bidder for a £200m outsourcing contract to provide services to support front line policing.

The deal – the first of its kind in the UK – will see middle and back office functions provided by the company for the next ten years. It is likely that further forces will follow suit.

¬This will put us firmly in the vanguard of change in the way policing is delivered.¬

Two companies were involved in the final stages of the bidding process – G4S and Steria with Reliance. The contract could be extended for up to 15 years.

In hailing the move as a key moment of the history of Lincolnshire Police, Authority members said the initiative would complement both the restructuring of the Force and regional collaboration in the provision of major crime functions.

The Police Authority also said that the engagement with G4S would enable the Force to make further cost savings while enabling investment in new technologies.

The contract will cover the Custody and ID Unit – excluding the custody sergeant role – plus the Force control room minus the inspector position.

The partnership also covers Town Enquiry officers, the Crime Management Bureau, Central Ticket Office and Collisions Unit and Criminal Justice Unit plus Firearms Licensing, excluding the manager and initial licensing officers.

Business Support and the Resource Management Unit are included in the contract.

Human Resources and ICT Services are also in the partnership with HR Learning & Development, Assets and Facilities Management – including Fleet Management – plus Finance & Procurement and Support Services all covered.

In a joint statement, Lincolnshire Police Authority Chairman Barry Young and Chief Constable Richard Crompton said the partnership with G4S had “put us firmly in the vanguard of change in the way policing is delivered”.

But they stressed that the move was not a complete solution and the Authority still faced significant financial challenges as government cuts continued to bite.

The statement added: “Reacting to the financial challenges imposed by the Government, we had already completed extensive organisational re-structuring which, allied with more regional collaboration, has proved extremely effective.

“Over the period of the contract this new approach will make significant savings, while also providing investment in key areas like IT infrastructure. The streamlining of processes will free officer time to concentrate on operational policing.

“If additional Authorities decide to obtain services through the contract, they could be provided from Lincolnshire – potentially giving a boost to local employment.”