A POTENTIAL collaboration between Avon and Somerset and Wiltshire’s Police is being discussed in order to save both forces money.

These discussions will see specialist police resources and support functions in the two forces as both forces seek to make the most of their recently slashed budgets.

The two forces already collaborate on Brunel, a shared Major Crime Investigation Team, and Special Branch.

Over the past four years each of the forces has had to find savings and both expect further cuts to affect front line policing if significant savings are not found.

Discussions between the Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables about a strategic alliance began in December 2014 and it has already been agreed that specialist police resources, protective services and admin staff will be included in the alliance.

It has been agreed that both forces will retain their Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables, and that neighbourhood and response policing will continue to be delivered and overseen locally.

Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson added: “It?s important to stress that Wiltshire Police and Avon and Somerset Police are not merging; both will retain their own leadership and identity.

“This strategic alliance would look at how we could share more of our resources, such as specialist police resources and office functions. Local policing – which we know is so important to our communities – would continue to be delivered locally in response to communities? needs.

“Police budgets are in a very challenging state and in the coming years this collaboration would help find the savings that both forces need to make.”

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens added: “We're very optimistic about finding ways of working more closely together in the future. We have a good track record with existing collaborations and there are clear benefits for both forces in pursuing further opportunities.”