West Midlands Police spearheads shared services deal worth up to £3.5bn

Supplier has to provide IT equipment for "cutting-edge approach" to policing

West Midlands Police has issued a tender for shared services under a seven-year deal worth between £300m and £3.5bn, depending on the number of police forces that join the procurement.

West Midlands Police is leading the deal in collaboration with Surrey Police Authority, but many other police authorities from England and Wales could also choose to participate.

The winning supplier will have to provide resources including IT equipment and infrastructure to support the delivery of frontline policing, and will also have to help deliver services including the management of ICT.

"The purpose of entering into a strategic partnership with forces is to deliver transformation across policing services. It is anticipated that the strategic partner will also directly manage some services with the forces," reads the notice.

The police authorities want to make cost savings while producing a more "cutting-edge approach" to policing.

"The forces wish to develop a sustainable business model that maintains and improves the delivery of policing services to the public, while staying within likely future funding settlements."