7 August 2006

SIX COUNTIES POLICE TO FOCUS ON MORE JOINT WORKING

Authorities and forces from the six counties have met to look at ways to improve policing across the Eastern Region.

The move comes after Home Secretary John Reid withdrew the compulsory orders for mergers of Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire/Essex and Norfolk/Suffolk/ Cambridgeshire police forces.

Vice Chair of Hertfordshire Police Authority, Brenda Griffiths, said: “We will concentrate on opportunities for closer working on counter terrorism, serious and organised crime and support services. We will not be looking to set up a regional force to deliver all of the protective services.

“Our aim is to make sure the people of Hertfordshire get the best possible police services, whether it is in tackling anti-social behaviour, organised drug trafficking or burglary. We will be looking at a wide range of options for joint working to achieve that whilst maintaining our neighbourhood policing strategy.

“In the meantime, we are assessing how much money we have spent preparing for the aborted force mergers and will be submitting a claim to the Home Office by the end of August.”

Herts Beat 2007
Central Area

Herts Beat 2007
Western Area