Lib Dems in Hertfordshire have pledged to oppose any handover of policing functions to G4S

Chris White, Herts County Council Lib Dem Group police spokesperson, said: ‘The astonishing news that Herts, Beds and Cambridgeshire constabularies will be pressing ahead with this privatisation is likely to lead to a collapse in public confidence in policing in the three counties.

‘Even before the Olympics fiasco, the record of G4S was questionable. Policing is a public sector service and should not normally be handed over to private companies – especially private companies which are known not to deliver. I don’t want to see the army being called in to Hertfordshire to perform basic policing.

He added: ‘There is little doubt that this will be a key election issue on 15 November.’