Five South West policing areas to work more closely together

Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables from Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire have reinforced their determination to develop a powerful group to ensure that the region stays amongst the safest in the country, despite government cutbacks. It’ll also be a powerful voice in lobbying for resources.

The President of the Association of Chief Police Officers, Sir Hugh Orde, was a guest at their latest regional meeting. It was hosted in Exeter by Devon and Cornwall PCC Tony Hogg, alongside Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer.

The group has met on two occasions since the PCC elections in November, and has already discussed procurement saving across the region, and potential areas of closer co-operation for south west policing.

A new governance model has been agreed for future projects.

Attendees considered a new matrix of collaborative initiatives and Chief Constables will now spend some time assessing priorities on an operational and efficiency basis.

It’s hoped to save several million pounds a year across the SW region.