The Government still backs West Midlands Police’s controversial “business partnership” proposals despite widespread opposition, the Home Secretary has insisted.

Theresa May said it was “absolutely right” for West Midlands Police to ask private sector partners what services they could provide.

Critics have condemned the plan to bring in private sector partners as “privatisation” and West Midlands Police Authority has put the whole process on hold until a Police and Crime Commissioner is elected on November 15.

But it has also approved the business case for the scheme, which could see the force working closely with a security company such as G4S, the firm responsible for security at the London Olympics.

The Home Office has backed the initiative and provided £2 million in funding to help West Midlands Police carry out negotiations.

And in an interview with the Birmingham Post at Birmingham’s ICC, Ms May said the plan was very much alive despite the delay.

She said: “It hasn’t been suspended. Discussions are still taking place.”

Referring to opposition to the proposal, she said: “There have been some questions raised I’m aware in the West Midlands about it.

“But I think it’s a very good example – it’s absolutely right for police forces to say to themselves, ‘how can we deliver what we need to deliver most cost effectively? How can we focus on delivering the policing service that people want to see in the area?’

“And there will be issues around some of the other functions that support a police force where it makes sense to bring the private sector in and to partner with the private sector.

“And the interesting thing about the West Midlands is they are sitting down and talking to the private sector about how far that could go, what is right, what makes sense.”

West Midlands Police has been negotiating with a shortlist of six businesses and consortia, including G4S. It remains unclear what services a partner might provide. The force insists security guards will never replace front line officers but says it has an open mind about the services a partner might provide.

Ms May urged voters to take part in elections for a new police commissioner, to be held on November 15. But she insisted the commissioner, who will scrutinise the work of the force and have the power to hire and fire chief constables, would have a democratic mandate even if turnout was low.

Existing police authorities were not directly elected, she said.

“I’m not setting a turnout target or predicting what a turnout target will be.

“My view is that there is a job to be done over the next few weeks in showing people what these elections are all about and encouraging them to go out and vote in those elections.”

Ms May said: “These are important elections. Law and order, what happens to crime in an area, how policing is undertaken in an area, really matters to people. So I would encourage people to go out and vote on November 15.

“It is the first time people have had this opportunity. It’s the most significant democratic reform in policing that has taken place.

“It’s important people have an opportunity to have somebody who they have voted for, who is their representative and who can be their local voice in policing, holding chief constables to account.”