Private security firms could investigate some crimes and patrol neighbourhoods under plans being drawn up for police in England and Wales.

 

 The West Midlands and Surrey forces - two of England's largest - have invited bids for contracts from security companies, on behalf of all forces. Other services provided privately could include supporting victims and managing high-risk individuals. The Home Office stressed private firms would not be able to arrest suspects. Critics have warned that privatising police services will mean that forces will be less accountable to the public. BBC political correspondent Louise Stewart said the West Midlands and Surrey forces had been working together since early last year. This is the first time the extent of their plans to involve the private sector in "middle and back office functions" have become clear. They emerge at a time of 20% cuts to police budgets over four years, with Home Secretary Theresa May suggesting forces could protect "front-line policing" by delegating some work to the private sector. Police station Our correspondent says the two forces have invited bids from firms including G4S, the world's largest security firm, to deliver a number of services currently undertaken by the police. They include responding to and investigating incidents, supporting victims and witnesses, managing high-risk individuals and patrolling neighbourhoods. In a statement, the Home Office said of the plans: "Private companies will not be able to arrest suspects, and they will not be solely responsible for investigating crime." The contract has a potential value of £1.5bn over seven years but could rise to a £3.5bn, depending on how many other forces signed up, our correspondent adds. That would make it the largest contract to date for a private company to provide police services. Last month Lincolnshire Police and G4S agreed a £200m contract. Under that agreement, thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, half the force's civilian staff will join the private company, which will also build and run a police station. The Guardian reported it had seen a briefing note sent to companies on the West Midlands-Surrey plans, which said that all services that "can be legally delegated to the private sector" are potentially up for contract. 'Dangerous experiment' A West Midlands police authority spokesman told the newspaper that combining with the business sector was aimed at transforming the way the force worked. "The areas of service listed in this notice are deliberately broad to allow the force to explore the skills, expertise and solutions a partnership could bring," he said. But Ben Priestley, Unison's national officer for police and justice, told the Guardian: "Bringing the private sector into policing is a dangerous experiment with local safety and taxpayers' money. "We are urging police authorities not to fall into the trap of thinking the private sector is the answer to the coalition's cuts." He added: "Privatisation means that the police will be less accountable to the public. And people will no longer be able to go to the Independent Police Complaints Commission if they have a problem."