G4S to build and run Lincolnshire police station
Private security company G4S has signed an agreement worth £200m to design, build and run a police station in Lincolnshire.
The ten-year contract is the first of its kind in the UK, according to G4S.
As part of the deal, two-thirds of staff employed by the force would be transferred to the private sector.
G4S was selected from an original 160 bidders for the Lincolnshire Police Business Transformation Project and from April 2012 will be providing a range of back-office functions.
The police authority expects to make savings of £28m over the life of the contract.
John Shaw, managing director of G4S police support services, said: "We're delighted to have been selected to deliver this important contract, which is the first of its kind in the UK.
"Lincolnshire is leading the way in responding to the challenges of the economic environment and this transformation project will mean many of the services provided by Lincolnshire Police will now be delivered externally by specialists who can deliver greater savings and improve efficiency."
The contract will includes the design and build of two custody suites, which would be staffed by G4S custody detention officers under the guidance of Lincolnshire Police custody sergeants.
The suites, which are specially designed by G4S, would be the first to be constructed in the UK and would allow the police to close old cells in town centre police stations.
Barry Young, chairman of Lincolnshire Police Authority, added: "Lincolnshire Police Authority is pleased to recommend G4S as our preferred bidder."
G4S has been providing services to the police for many years, including the provision of custody suite services for three forces in the UK, as well as forensic medical services for 13 forces.
Shaw said: "Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire Police Authority are to be commended for having run a very agile procurement that we believe should be the case study for other public-sector competitions.
"The end result is a partnership approach that has been talked about many times but that has already been demonstrated by the authority. This can only lead to a better outcome for the people of Lincolnshire and the taxpayer in general."
