Additional police merger plans confirmed

Joint units for firearms, major crime, professional standards and scientific services will be established with Cambs and Herts police forces.

Across the three forces these are expected to save £3million per year,

Chief Constable Alf Hitchcock added: “Delivering these collaborated police functions makes good sense.

“It means we can keep the maximum number of local officers on the streets of Bedfordshire to fight crime and protect the public, whilst taking these complex areas of policing jointly.”

The mergers are part of a wider scheme creating a ‘Strategic Alliance’ between the three forces.

So far there are 13 joint functions between Beds and Herts police.

By 2015 a wide range of joint operational functions and support services are expected to merge, making up more than hlaf of policing business and saving around £20m per year.