THE chairman of Thames Valley Police Federation has raised concerns about a money saving deal to pool equipment, staff and police officers with neighbouring forces.

John Grant, who represents the force’s officers, called for more details over the plan to share staff and resources in departments such as witness protection, covert operations and technical support with forces in Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex.

Thames Valley Police stressed the move will lead to no reduction in service, but has admitted officers from outside the force may be dealing with Oxfordshire victims and witnesses.

The collaboration deal was signed by the respective police authorities and Chief Constables in Sussex on January 14.

The move will save the force £70,000 in the first year and £500,000 annually thereafter.

But Mr Grant said: “I have enormous concerns such as the geography of the forces and whether any officers will have to relocate. If we keep collaborating functions with other forces then what you are left with is a merger, without it being named a merger.”

Thames Valley Police currently shares communications technology with neighbouring forces and has deals with Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire to pool helicopters and transport.

The force plans £5m of cuts over the next financial year and a police authority meeting in November was told the worst case scenario was a £40m blackhole over the next three years. Last year’s budget was £369m, of which the Government gave £141m.

Chief Constable Sara Thornton said the collaboration was designed to save money but guaranteed Thames Valley Police will not merge with another force.