Northampton's police and fire bosses say "once in a generation" HQ merger plan will make town's services more efficient

Northampton's fire and police bosses have said the move to merge the two forces into one building will allow them both to be more efficient and provide the public with better front-line services.

Campbell Square will be restored as Northampton's main police hub under a plan to focus funding on front-line services revealed today (Thursday).

Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue HQ is also moving to Wellingborough in an effort to streamline office space occupied by the two emergency services.

The current Fire HQ at Moulton Park and Northampton's police response base at Weston Favell are earmarked to be sold off as part of the scheme announced by Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold.

In a press conference on Thursday (February 25) Stephen Mold, Chief Fire Officer Darren Dovey and Chief Constable Nick Adderley all welcomed the new measures.

Mr Mold said: "It will save money and give people a better working environment. The whole idea of this is to give us an opportunity to reinvest into front-line services. The needs of the community and the aim to provide the best standard of policing are the top considerations when making decisions about the estate.

"But I also have a duty to the public to ensure that we spend the least money possible on buildings and focus on the people and services that keep the county safe."

Mr Mold said the current buildings being used by the forces are "less than desirable" and emergency workers are "excited" to have a new home.

Mr Mold added that he hoped the public were supportive. He said: "We will have more police officers [on the front-line], response times will improve, the things that are going to matter."

The press conference also heard how the move "makes sense", how it gives the emergency services "a future" plan and how it will take about 10 years to "bring to full fruition".

Mr Adderley said it sets the foundation to help design a "modern, forward and progressive police service". He added that the operation is being organised to to "serve the public in the best way we can".

He said: "We are not trying to turn police officers into fire fighters, nor are we trying to turn fire fighters into police officers. Why would we not want to share these assets and intelligence? By sharing knowledge we can serve the public for the better and more efficiently.

"This is a once in a generation opportunity to relocate our response teams into the heart of a high priority area, which accounts for a significant amount of the whole county’s crime, and put our resources where they need to be to focus on tackling crime and keeping people safe.”

The police boss added that in the longer term the move makes more financial sense and he plans to make sure the merger is "done once and done properly".

Fire boss Darren Dovey wanted to reassure the public that none of the 22 fire stations across the county are moving, it is just the service will have a new HQ at Darby House in Wellingborough.

He said: "The move will allow us to be more efficient and provide a better service to the front-line. It also makes it more efficient for the public. We are looking forward to the move from a fire perspective.

"Sharing buildings and stations with the Police, such as our new headquarters at Darby House and various stations around the county, will also help to drive more joint working for the benefit of the community.

"This makes absolute sense for the people of this county."

He added that the current buildings the fire service use, mainly the Moulton Park HQ, are "not fit for purpose".

Mr Dovey said: "We've outgrown the facilities we have got. This move will take a bit of time, between five and 10 years before it comes to fruition - but the benefits will be there almost immediately."