Police Oracle

Private security firm Steria is considering cutting around 30 staff jobs that were transferred to the company from Cleveland Police under an outsourcing deal.

The 500 staff transferred in June 2010 and the deal included a provision to avoid compulsory redundancies for the 10 years the agreement would last - provided there was enough work.

But Cleveland Police Authority said some force work had not been outsourced as originally planned.

¬This decision is not a reflection of their work or the contribution they have made to the success of Cleveland Police.¬

The force has also postponed plans to “civilianise” some of the posts in intelligence, prisoner handling and neighbourhood safety.

The authority has shouldered the cost of keeping surplus staff in employment while Steria has encouraged voluntary redundancies and early retirement.

In a joint statement, the authority and Steria said around 30 full time roles would have to go, claiming that protecting the jobs would cost the authority up to £1m a year, jeopardising its efforts to protect front-line policing.

The statement said Steria would continue with its voluntary redundancy programme but was also looking at compulsory redundancies and 30 jobs are now “at risk”.

Formal consultation with the affected staff and unions has begun.

“It should be stressed that this does not mean all (the jobs) will be lost but this is part of the process which has to be undertaken,” the joint statement said.

“The partnership between the authority and Steria has been hugely positive in protecting the position of several hundred staff. This is in sharp contrast to the very significant job losses which have taken place within many other forces and authorities.

“We do not underestimate the impact that this decision will have on those affected, some of whom have worked within the police family for many years.

“This decision is not a reflection of their work or the contribution they have made to the success of Cleveland Police.”