More cost savings in pipeline for Cambridgeshire police

Two more of Cambridgeshire police’s backroom teams could be merged with neighbouring counties in cost savings measures.

The county’s force is continuing to look at ways to collaborate with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, with the firearms and explosives licensing and human resources departments, next on their list.

On Thursday (February 19), the three forces’ chief constables and counties’ police and crime commissioners agreed to undertake a full business case to merge the two existing firearms and explosives licensing units, which will based at one or two sites.

They agreed to investigate an e-commerce system for people to apply for firearms licences online.

The forces will also press ahead with a full business case for combining the three human resources departments which includes learning and development.

It is hoped the collaboration of back office functions will save the police forces a combined £23million, which will in turn save frontline police jobs.

The number of jobs that are affected by the move is not currently known.

Cambridgeshire police’s chief constable Simon Parr said: “The operational and financial advantages of joining specialist units together have already been proven by units such as major crime and roads policing. Joining up these teams will enable us to deliver even more coordinated and efficient services across the three forces. They will also help sustain local policing which is key to fighting crime in Cambridgeshire.”

Sir Graham Bright, Cambridgeshire police and crime commissioner, added: “The decision to collaborate our firearms and explosives licensing teams is another important step forward for the Strategic Alliance.

“By working more closely together in this way and streamlining processes based on industry best practice, Cambridgeshire Constabulary will be even better placed to meet tough spending targets while minimising the impact on local policing.”