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G4S to run Lincolnshire police station Private security firm G4S to run Lincolnshire police station
(about 2 hours later)
A private security company has signed a deal to design, build and run a police station in Lincolnshire.A private security company has signed a deal to design, build and run a police station in Lincolnshire.
The agreement - between G4S and Lincolnshire Police - is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.The agreement - between G4S and Lincolnshire Police - is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.
As part of the deal, two-thirds of staff employed by the force would be transferred to the private sector.As part of the deal, two-thirds of staff employed by the force would be transferred to the private sector.
BBC Home Affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said it was arguably the most radical solution to the budget cuts facing police forces.BBC Home Affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said it was arguably the most radical solution to the budget cuts facing police forces.
It is thought the contract will save Lincolnshire at least £20m.It is thought the contract will save Lincolnshire at least £20m.
G4S is the biggest global security company in the world.
In the UK, it has a £1bn turnover and employs more than 40,000 people, including staff at five prisons, three secure training centres and two immigration removal centres.
The company is also responsible for electronically monitoring offenders and transporting asylum claimants.
The contract with Lincolnshire Police significantly extends G4S's reach into policing.
But it's not alone: the private firm Steria has a £175m contract with Cleveland Police and the Avon and Somerset force has out-sourced much of its back-office functions in a partnership with IBM.
Other constabularies are involved in similar, smaller-scale projects with the private sector - and more are certain to follow.
The Police Federation has raised concerns about the plan, saying police force staff have an "enshrined sense of public duty which private employees may not".The Police Federation has raised concerns about the plan, saying police force staff have an "enshrined sense of public duty which private employees may not".
'Strategic partners'
Under the plan, 540 civilian workers at Lincolnshire Police will move across to G4S, from April, in what is thought to be the biggest single transfer of police staff to a private company.Under the plan, 540 civilian workers at Lincolnshire Police will move across to G4S, from April, in what is thought to be the biggest single transfer of police staff to a private company.
The police authority will pay G4S £200m over 10 years to deliver a range of services, including human resources, finance and IT.The police authority will pay G4S £200m over 10 years to deliver a range of services, including human resources, finance and IT.
Police authority chairman Barry Young said that, subject to planning permission, a new custody suite would be built at the police headquarters site in Nettleham, near Lincoln.Police authority chairman Barry Young said that, subject to planning permission, a new custody suite would be built at the police headquarters site in Nettleham, near Lincoln.
The security firm will also build a large police station in the county, containing a two-storey office block and a custody suite with 30 cells.The security firm will also build a large police station in the county, containing a two-storey office block and a custody suite with 30 cells.
Ten other police forces in the country have expressed interest in becoming "strategic partners", which would see some of their services outsourced to the private security company.Ten other police forces in the country have expressed interest in becoming "strategic partners", which would see some of their services outsourced to the private security company.
Mr Young said: "By taking over a range of support functions, G4S will contribute to the force's aim of being able to put 97% of its warranted officers in frontline roles by April. 'New innovations'
Mr Young said: "By taking over a range of support functions, G4S will contribute to the force's aim of being able to put 97% of its warranted officers in front-line roles by April.
"Crucially, the new strategic partnership will also deliver significant infrastructure investment that will offset the budget reductions called for by the government. I believe we are leading the way.""Crucially, the new strategic partnership will also deliver significant infrastructure investment that will offset the budget reductions called for by the government. I believe we are leading the way."
Kim Challis, from G4S, said: "Lincolnshire is leading the way in responding to the challenges of today's economic environment and this transformation project will mean many of the services provided by the police will now be delivered externally by specialists who can deliver greater savings and improve efficiency.
"We are particularly delighted to have the opportunity to implement many new innovations, such as our purpose-built Bridewell custody suites - the first of which will be completed within a year."