Police name firms in the running to take over service

Buy photos »

THE companies in the running to take over some police services have been announced.

West Midlands Police have selected six to move to the next stage of the process in its business partnering for police programme (BPP).

The force teamed up with Surrey Police to invite bids from companies interested in running parts of the service in the controversial scheme backed by the Home Office.

The chosen six are:

British Telecommunications, Reliance Secure Task Management and Vanguard Consulting

Capita Business Services

G4S Care & Justice Services

Kellogg Brown & Root and IBM United Kingdom

Logica UK, Amey Community and Northgate Information Solutions

Serco, HP Enterprise Services, and Accenture.

The two forces will begin discussions to explore the ideas they could bring to policing.

But the move to privatise parts of the force has been met with protests from members of the Unite Union while the Commons Home Affairs Committee spoke out against the plan saying it lacked clarity.

The West Midlands force is due to hold consultations with members of the public and staff over the summer as the process is put on hold temporarily during Olympic policing commitments.

West Midlands Police Deputy Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: "The whole BPP programme is about transforming the police and finding new ways to enhance the way our organisations deliver our service to the public.

"It's pleasing to see a broad range of companies from different sectors of the market and we look forward to exploring with them how they would use innovation, technology and business transformation for the benefit of the public here in the West Midlands."

Visit www.west-midlands.police.uk/misc/bpp/case-studies.asp for more information.

Regional news »