Cambridgeshire Police to work with other forces

Police in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire are to work together to help share costs, it has been announced.

Cambridgeshire Police Authority is to explore joint police operations, support and organisation to help save money and improve efficiency.

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire already have a collaboration programme.

The two forces have joint units to deal with major crime, provide firearms support and dog handling.

Formal approval needed

Ruth Rogers, chairwoman of Cambridgeshire Police Authority, said: "Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire have a good track record of working together to ensure value for money and effective services.

"We look forward to working with them and gaining from their valuable experience."

Chief Constable Simon Parr added: "Our overarching objective is to ensure that each organisation can continue to deliver a good quality of policing to their communities, while helping us to close the financial 'gap' that all three forces face."

Each collaborative venture will still need formal approval by the police authorities before it can take place.