Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner will endorse an independent business case to explore the possibility of merging the county’s police and fire and rescue services.

Announcing his “Community Safety and Criminal Justice Plan today”, David Lloyd said he also wanted to focus on improving community safety and hastening criminal justice across the county.

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Mr Lloyd said the updated plan, which he describes as “more evolution than revolution”, outlines his ambitions for the next five years and demonstrates the progress made since his initial election in 2012.

One of the most controversial aspects includes exploring the business case for bringing together the two emergency services under shared governance.

“I will commission an independent case to look at the benefits of even closer working and shared governance structures between the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Constabulary to see if greater efficiency and effectiveness can be achieved,” he said.

Mr Lloyd says the move could make policing in the county more economical, as would the “smarter use” of police property.

Other aims set out in his plan include putting money seized from criminals through the Proceeds of Crime Act to a tangible end – such as speed cameras funded by offenders paying for speed awareness courses – and reducing the risk of people with mental health issues becoming victims or offenders through early intervention.

As part of his pledge to protect local policing, each district in Hertfordshire will retain a visible senior police officer supported by a safer neighbourhood team, special constables and PCSOs.

“There is nothing new in this plan but four years on I want people to see how the role of PCC, and the way we are protecting victims, is evolving,” he said.

“People want to live in a place with a really low crime rate and we want to make sure that victims and offenders get justice swiftly.

“We also want to make sure everyone knows where their local police station is but they have to make an appointment first – they can’t just turn up – and we are ensuring there is at least one in every borough and district across the county.

“I am putting local policing at the heart of what I do. Watford will have its own inspector; people said that’s what they want so that’s what they’re getting.”