Under the overall partnership agreement, Steria is working with the force and Authority to deliver key services, including the control room, support for the preparation of criminal case files, and shared business services covering finance, HR, payroll, procurement, fleet management and facilities functions.

Peter Race, chair of Cleveland Police Authority, said: "When we embarked on the partnership with Steria we set ourselves the key objectives of delivering better services to the public, and generating £50 million savings over ten years and maintaining a strong front-line service.

"The benefits generated by this partnership have helped us weather the pressures so far and this latest development will help us extend the benefits even further."

At the end of 2008 Cleveland Police also a £7.9 million deal with Steria for mobile working solutions across the entire force of 1,400 officers.