Yorkshire and Humber police forces to share department

Two police forces in Yorkshire are to combine their human resources and training departments in a bid to save money.

South Yorkshire and Humberside police authorities estimate £2.5m per year could be saved by the move.

The forces, which already share a technology department, said services would be enhanced by the change.

Ian Watson, HR manager for both forces, said it would help to protect the front line from deeper cuts.

"It would also reduce duplication, improve ways of working, share expertise and reduce bureaucracy," said Mr Watson.

"The creation of a single HR and training model will assist in the drive for long-term sustainability. It will deliver savings while enhancing services to both forces - effectively providing more for less."

'Deliver improvements'

Mr Watson, who joined Humberside Police in 2008, became the forces' joint HR manager last year to save each force £65,000.

Charles Perryman, chair of South Yorkshire Police Authority, said: "The collaboration is in line with the police authorities' commitment to protect and better support front-line services.

"The single model will deliver improvements to service delivery and ultimately policing outcomes."

Ros Taylor, chair of Humberside Police Authority, said combining the departments would see greater flexibility.

He added: "It will generate greater resilience and capacity to implement the biggest workforce changes facing the police service in a generation."