Commissioner says force is ‘miles ahead of other areas’

POLICE and Crime Commisioner David Keane believes Cheshire is ‘miles ahead’ of other areas across the country when it comes to joint operational work between the police and fire services.

Mr Keane hailed the collaborative approach during the latest Cheshire Police And Crime Panel meeting.

Mr Keane highlighted the ‘huge amount of money’ saved by joining up estates, HR and legal services.

He said: “We are working very closely with Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service and with the Cheshire Fire Authority – it is very much a partnership approach.

“We now have a shared headquarters, we now have a largely shared back office.

“We are, where we can, collaborating and having joint bases for police and fire stations and services, it both saves us money and makes us work much more effectively together.

“On the operational side, I believe that we are miles ahead of many other police and fire services up and down the country. I think partnerships are the right way.

“I don’t like the approach that I have seen with other commissioners up and down the land that seems to be almost at the throat of their partners, that is the fire service.

“We have a wonderful working relationship where we are saving lots of money, becoming more efficient and effective and keeping the people of Cheshire safe.”