Private security firm G4S has won preferred bidder status on a ten year £200 million outsourcing contract with Lincolnshire police.

The contract will see G4S delivering ICT, HR, asset management and financial services to Lincolnshire police. G4S, formerly known as Group 4 Securitas, will also provide operational services, managing the force control room, crime management bureau, central ticket office and collisions, criminal justice, resource management unit and custody and ID units.

In a joint statement, Lincolnshire Police Authority Chairman Barry Young and Chief Constable Richard Crompton said that the decision to outsource so much of the back-office function had been prompted by budget cuts, and that it is probably the most significant change in Lincolnshire police history.

"Over the period of the contract this new approach will make significant savings, whilst also providing investment in key areas like IT infrastructure," they said. "The subsequent streamlining of processes will free up officer time to concentrate on operational policing."

The original tender notice in the Official Journal of the European Union was also signed by ten other UK police forces, meaning that other forces could take up the contract with G4S and avoid a the tendering process.

"If additional Authorities decide to obtain services through the contract, they could be provided from Lincolnshire – potentially giving a boost to local employment," said Young and Crompton.