The contract, for an undisclosed value, is related to a issued in March. That notice said the Met Police will roll out 80,000 Microsoft Windows compatible smartcards - based on the Javacard 2.2 standard - and around 140,000 readers, which will control access to its buildings and IT systems.

"Strong, token-based user authentication is a prerequisite for provision of this capability," the Met Police wrote in the notice at the time. "Smart card based authentication provides the required level of security, flexibility and control for both IT and building environments."

It is not yet clear what hardware is being used for the readers and related devices. BT would not confirm more details, and at the time of writing a spokesperson at the Metropolitan Police could not be reached for further information.

This week Catherine Crawford, chief executive at the Metropolitan Police Authority, which oversees procurement at the force, said the police wanted to "enhance security and risk management, as well as introduce more efficient IT processes and new ways of working".

The Metropolitan Police extensively uses SAP enterprise resource planning software.