First combined police and fire stations for Gloucestershire announced – the two locations – Gloucestershire Live

Police officers will be based at two fire stations in Gloucestershire in a bid to improve working between emergency services. It means Newent and Winchcombe fire stations will see police officers starting and finishing their shifts at the new hubs.

Policing teams would go out on patrol from the bases whether that is on foot or in vehicles, returning for meal breaks. The idea is to tackle issues such as anti-social behaviour and road safety in the local communties.

Teams could also use the building for pre-arranged appointments or meetings with the public and other agencies. They can also serve as bases for local Special Constables and Volunteer Police Community Support Officers which the Police and Crime Commissioner and Constabulary are working to expand.

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Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC) Nick Evans, made the announcement at Gloucestershire County Councils Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee on Friday. He said: This is a huge step forward in working together with our colleagues in the County Council and GFRS to make our county Safer.

Our Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson promised to expand the visibility and presence of police in more of our communities, particularly rural areas, by making better use of publically-owned buildings, and collaborating with the fire service. This shows we mean business and are delivering on that promise.

Work has already begun to look at other areas where it makes operational sense for similar collaborations to take place, adding to the existing footprint of police buildings. With regular and volunteer officers working from these new stations, there will be a very visible operational impact that will be felt by our communities.

Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member with responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service, said: I fully support collaboration between our fire and rescue service and police partners. I am pleased to see that the feasibility has been scrutinised appropriately and that Newent and Winchcombe Community Fire Stations are able to provide a base for the police officers to operate out of collaboratively whilst continuing to provide valuable community services.

The co-location will be at no additional cost to Gloucestershire County Council. It is important we maintain high quality, accessible services whilst ensuring value for money for the residents of Newent and Winchcombe.

Mark Preece, chief fire officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: We have a very close working relationship with Gloucestershire Police and are extremely pleased that they will move in to our Community Fire Stations in Newent and Winchcombe with us. We looked at six of our stations across the county with both Newent and Winchcombes feasibility to co-locate successful. We currently have the Ambulance Service based at some of our community fire stations and this is a further step in our commitment to blue light collaboration.

We will always seek out opportunities to collaborate with other Blue Light Services to provide the best possible service to our communities.