WEST MIDLANDS AND SURREY POLICE FORCES AND THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME

That this House notes with concern the decision by West Midlands and Surrey police forces to invite bids from private security firms to deliver front line and back office police services; further notes that policing throughout England and Wales is for people not profit; is aware that police officers are accountable to the communities they serve not to business shareholders with business interests; is concerned that privatisation of police services will threaten accountability within the services; and calls on the Government to retain in the public sector all police officer functions and police staff roles and to show full support for the Police and other emergency services by putting an end to their Business Partnership Programme.