Statement: Outsourcing organisational support services for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire police forces

Following a rigorous review process the Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire have agreed not to proceed with further work exploring the Lincolnshire Police outsourcing framework, with G4S as the supplier, for the delivery of the three forces’ Organisational Support services.  The decision was taken at a meeting held at Welwyn Garden City on Tuesday, 29 January.

The Lincolnshire/G4S framework, which was awarded following a competitive process, was initially established to meet the specific requirements of Lincolnshire Police.  It also afforded named forces, including Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, the opportunity to contract with G4S without the additional cost and delay arising from a new procurement process.

Over the past few months, a significant amount of work has been carried out to assess whether the Lincolnshire/G4S framework meets the unique and complex requirements of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Alliance and decided at tonight’s meeting that the Alliance will not progress with this framework. 

Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Sir Graham Bright said: “I have worked with the commissioners and chief constables for Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire to evaluate the framework delivered by G4S in Lincolnshire. Following a rigorous review we have come to the shared decision not to proceed further.

“I still firmly think that working closely with other forces is the key to making the savings needed in the future.  I have always said that I am not against outsourcing completely. I will make any decisions about how services are provided in the future based on what is in the best interests of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire to meet the financial challenges that face us all.”