THREE police forces including Hertfordshire are to merge sections of its services as a cost-cutting measure to protect frontline services, it has been revealed.

The alliance between Hertfordshire Constabulary, Bedfordshire Police and Cambridgeshire Constabulary has now been formalised in a ‘strategic framework agreement’.

The scheme is set to save up to £20 million per year across the three forces by the end of 2015. Hertfordshire Police Authority has said the savings will be “crucial in helping each force to maintain delivery of local policing to communities in the face of the current financial challenges”.

Hertfordshire’s acting chief Constable Heather Valentine said: “We have already proved in our work with Bedfordshire that collaboration brings more than just financial benefits, it brings resilience and the meshing together of innovation, best practice and new ideas for all forces involved.”

David Lloyd, newly-appointed Chairman of Hertfordshire Police Authority, added: “We believe that our strategic alliance with Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire will enable us to find significant efficiencies providing the resources to deliver a good policing service to our communities.

“We ensure that every decision as to whether to establish a joint venture is considered very carefully.

“Detailed business cases are prepared for scrutiny by the Police Authorities and senior officers and extensive staff and stakeholder consultation is carried out.

"Only when we are satisfied that a joint venture represents the best way forward for the people of Hertfordshire do we give our approval.”