The move has been criticised

PLANS to outsource backroom police operations in Herts, Beds and Cambs to G4S are still being considered, despite the security firm botching up its Olympic contract.

After reviewing the firm’s ability to deliver the service, the police authorities for the three forces said they were still looking to go ahead with plans to jointly outsource services to the firm.

But Sherma Batson, Labour candidate for November’s Herts Police and Crime Commissioner elections, slammed the decision and called for more options to be looked at.

“I still believe that in something as fundamental as the provision of our police services, at least one other option should be considered and this should be an internal solution,” she said.

“Outsourcing to a private company will dilute the services we get from the police. The men and women of the constabulary provide a service for the community with pride and diligence and this is something that would most certainly be lost.”

The authorities are looking at and scrutinising a contract between Lincolnshire Police and G4S, in order to decide whether a similar partnership would work for them.

Ms Batson added: “I don’t believe that a full assessment can be made of the existing situation in Lincolnshire in less than a year and the failure of G4S to deliver for the Olympic Games throws doubt on their ability to provide a service for the people of Hertfordshire.

“There are some fundamental services that should not be outsourced in this way and we need to protect our neighbourhoods from private companies.”

A decision on whether to sign a deal with G4S will not be made for a few months, until a business case has been prepared.

A joint statement from the authorities said: “The work to develop the full business case will continue to scrutinise the Lincolnshire Police/G4S contract and assess the ability of the contract to meet the specific requirements of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.

“The full business case will therefore be completed over the next few months, ready for consideration and a decision by the Chief Constables in conjunction with the incoming Police and Crime Commissioners.”