GREATER collaboration between two police forces took a step closer this week. Business cases to provide joint services in three key areas of work were approved at meetings of Herts and Beds police authorities. Plans will now be developed to establish a jo

GREATER collaboration between two police forces took a step closer this week.

Business cases to provide joint services in three key areas of work were approved at meetings of Herts and Beds police authorities.

Plans will now be developed to establish a joint dog section, professional standards department to manage public complaints and conduct and performance issues for both forces, and scientific services including a joint chemical laboratory facility.

If approved by both authorities in February, the new joint units will be operational by next April.

It is estimated they will produce savings in the region of £650,000 a year which will be re-invested in frontline policing across the two counties.

Peter Conniff, chairman of Beds Police Authority who is also heading the group to investigate joint operations, said: "Collaboration can bring enormous benefits, such as increased resilience and economies of scale. These arrangements are about broadening the scope of the collaborative work between the two counties to deliver improved policing over the coming years.

"I am confident that the significant steps that have been agreed over the past few days will bring about increased capability and efficiency."

Stuart Nagler, chairman of Hertfordshire Police Authority, added: "We constantly strive to improve policing services for all our communities and collaboration with other forces and key partners in the county provides excellent opportunities to do just that."

The current proposals follow the first anniversary of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit which has been acknowledged through independent inspection as a success.

newsrelease