CHARD’S beat manager is confident a new collaboration with Wiltshire Police will have no effect on frontline services in local towns.

It was announced on Monday that Avon & Somerset Constabulary has begun discussions with the Wiltshire force which will see specialist resources shared in a new alliance.

The proposal comes as the two forces seek to secure significant savings over the next five years.

They expect a wider collaboration to deliver a “more efficient and cost-effective” police service for local communities.

Police forces up and down the country have already made substantial savings but it is anticipated that more seven-figure sums will need to be shaved off the budget by 2018-19.

Discussions between the Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables about a strategic alliance began in December, and while discussions are still at an early stage it has been agreed that specialist police resources, protective services and corporate services will be included in the alliance.

Crucially, it has been agreed that neighbourhood and response policing will continue to be delivered and overseen locally, which PC Paul Thomas has welcomed.

He told The News: “From what I’ve seen this is going to be more about sharing operational resources, traffic, dogs and helicopters, which makes perfect sense, really.

“Why have two forces with a helicopter each when it can be shared, for example. Wiltshire police officers won’t be working out of Chard or Chard officers working out of Wiltshire, and, most importantly for Chard residents, it won’t directly affect frontline services.”

Avon and Somerset PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “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.”

Wiltshire and Swindon PCC Angus Macpherson said: “It’s important to stress that Wiltshire Police and the Avon & Somerset Constabulary 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 both forces need to make.”