Kent Police and Essex Police have joined forces to provide communities with:

• an improved standard of policing
• more officers on the beat (improved neighbourhood policing)
• a better value-for-money service

The two forces are working in collaboration following the government’s decision to scrap plans to merge police forces. Instead Kent Police and Essex Police will work together to deliver the best possible policing service to the public.

Both Kent and Essex forces and authorities believe working closely together will: 

• deliver the highest possible quality service to the community 
• boost our savings through our joint buying power
• allow forces to use resources more effectively and efficiently

The project is led by the collaboration team, headed up by the deputy chief constables from each force.

Assessment for collaboration

The team has assessed areas of work across both forces where collaboration could have the greatest benefit. For example, both forces have agreed to work together on major crimes, the use of vehicles and training.

Making improvements and savings

The team will review the organisational support of both forces to see where we can do things differently to make significant improvements in our service and to identify where savings can be made.

Heads of departments will take part in workshops to identify areas for collaboration.

Latest collaboration project

The latest work as part of the collaboration project is the shared use of the police helicopter.

Kent and Essex Police will share the use of the helicopter to provide air support in the fight against crime.

The collaboration means the helicopter will be available to Kent and Essex forces for up to 18 hours a day, seven days a week.