Hampshire-Thames Valley traffic police merger job cuts

The forces said beat officers and volunteers will be trained to use speed guns

Plans to merge traffic police across Hampshire and Thames Valley will see up to 82 front-line officer posts axed.

Hampshire Constabulary is trying to save £20m in this financial year while Thames Valley is hoping to slash £12m from its budget.

The forces said beat officers will be trained to use speed guns along with more community volunteers.

Hampshire Police Federation said it was a "slippery slope" and collaboration was solely about saving money.

Supt Chris Brown, of Hampshire Police, said: "The financial times we are in at the moment means we have to have look at things vastly differently and pooling resources seems a sensible idea to do when we are all having to tighten our belts.

"The community speedwatch scheme is not a replacement for these officers.

"I have also trained up two dozens beat officers who can do enforceable speed enforcement too."

He said up to 82 posts will go but this could be reduced if other savings were identified.

'Prevent casualties'

John Apter, from Hampshire Police Federation, said many members of the public had a misconception that traffic officers only handed out speeding tickets.

He added: "In my previous role as a road death investigator I've seen the consequences of drug-driving, drunk-driving and overloaded vehicles.

"It is the traffic police that have the expertise, the ability to deal with them at the time to prevent casualties.

"Unfortunately, the way the budgets for policing across the country is going, I think this is a slippery slope."

The forces have already created a single information, communication and technology department, managed by Thames Valley Police.

Thames Valley Police covers Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, while Hampshire Constabulary covers both Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.