Surrey Police consider public-private move to cut costs

Cost-cutting plans that would see Surrey Police team up with a private organisation in non-frontline areas are to be discussed.

The force said it would continue to face a tough financial climate and wanted to ensure longer-term stability.

Under the plans, talks would start with the private sector to look at how a partnership, also involving West Midlands Police, would work.

Proposals are to be discussed by the Surrey Police Authority on 13 October.

In a statement, Surrey Police said the move was a joint initiative with West Midlands Police and had the full backing of the Home Office.

West Midlands Police said they had been working with the Surrey force since early 2011 on plans to involve the private sector in "middle and back office functions".

The police authority has published a report into the proposed link-up with companies on its website.

Surrey Police said the plans followed a series of moves to maximise investment in frontline policing.

A statement said that by next January the force would have recruited 200 extra officers, reduced senior officers and staff, cut bureaucracy, rationalised its estate, and teamed up with other regional police forces in some areas.

But it said tough financial conditions would continue and, with the Olympic Games next year, Surrey Police had to plan how to invest in the front line and keep crime down and public confidence high.