The Office of Simon Hayes shares details of this event that took place last week. Ed
At the joint headquarters in Eastleigh on Friday Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service marked their collaboration with a ceremony attended by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Fire Authority Chairman, Acting Chief Constable, and Chief Fire Officer.
This is the first time Police and Fire services have shared a headquarters in the UK, recently drawing praise from Home Secretary Theresa May and Mike Penning MP, Minister for Policing and Fire.
At the end of the current phase of building a new joint reception has opened, where the commemorative plaque will be displayed. The plaque was presented by Simon Hayes, Police and Crime Commissioner, to Councillor Chris Carter, Fire Authority Chairman. Following the ceremony there was a tour of the building to see first hand the collaborative working between services.
Simon Hayes commented:
“I am very pleased to see the new shared working environment for the police and fire services. This move into the new headquarters will help us to develop stronger partnership working, as well provide an environment that is fit for modern policing. This has all been achieved at no extra cost to the tax payer and contributes towards savings of up to £3 million to be put back into supporting front line policing across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”
Councillor Chris Carter commented:
“We are proud of the collaborative work with our partners across Hampshire that helps keep our communities safer and this shared headquarters again shows us to be a national leader in innovative partnership work.
“We are also welcoming police teams in many of our fire stations across the county in order to further enhance the value we provide for residents and the close work of our teams.”
Home Secretary Theresa May has previously described Hampshire as “the apple of my eye” in parliament for in successfully collaborating the work of fire-fighters and police officers. The move into the Leigh Road site was a first for both forces in the UK and saves millions of taxpayers’ money for each service.
