Leicestershire and Northants may combine firearms unit

Police forces in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire may combine their firearms units as part of a collaboration project.

Leicestershire Police confirmed they had been holding talks about the project.

The force said the collaboration would allow both forces to make better use of resources and put savings back into frontline policing.

They are also looking at collaborating in other areas such as human resources.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: "We have undertaken extensive research including looking at how Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Constabularies have successfully collaborated in running a joint firearms unit since July 2009.

"Officers from the firearms unit and staff association representatives are involved in both the development work and its future implementation."

The government put forward plans to merge the five forces in the East Midlands in 2006, which were then abandoned, following concerns over funding.