Norfolk and Suffolk police share IT services

The two forces have said they have agreed to collaborate the majority of their support functions to remove duplication and save £9.8m over the next four years. In addition to ICT, the other services to be shared are vehicles; professional standards; press office; estates and facilities; HR; learning and development; finance; procurement; change and corporate services; and performance. The initiative follows a business support review, which was approved by Suffolk on 29 October and by Norfolk on 1 November. Detailed plans and a timetable for the creation of individual joint units have yet to be prepared. Stephen Bett, chair of Norfolk Police Authority, said: "Given the tough financial constraints we face, we will closely monitor the process to ensure the new collaborative departments deliver support services that are both effective and efficient." Colin Spence, chair of Suffolk Police Authority, added that the force will continue to work closely with colleagues in both areas while the changes are implemented. He also stressed that progress would be closely monitored "to ensure that the re-design of our essential support services does not damage our ability to deliver a high quality policing service". ICT in policing will be one of the topics to be discussed at Kable's Transforming Blue Light Services conference, taking place in London on 24 November. It will focus on how to use existing technologies in an innovative manner to provide high quality services in the face of financial constraints. More details here.