AN alliance with Avon and Somerset Constabulary is expected to plug the black hole in police finances during the next five years, according to the Police and Crime Commissioner.

This week the guiding principles were agreed between Wiltshire Police and Avon and Somerset, expected to save £30m by 2019.

The shortfall in funding for Wiltshire Police is thought to reach an additional £11m during the next five years, with £15m already sliced from the force’s revenue.

The roles of each Chief Constable and PCC was also protected in the agreement.

At the meeting in Keynsham, near Bristol, on Wednesday the neighbouring forces agreed that further partnerships with councils and other agencies will be considered.

The two PCCs also signed a Heads of Terms agreement, a legal document under section 22 of the Police Act 1996 which enables commissioners and chief officers to make a collaboration agreement in the interests of efficiency or effectiveness. A programme director is being recruited and an implementation team will be set up to plan the transition.

Angus Macpherson, PCC for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “My force needs to find savings of more than £10m over the next three years under the Government’s austerity programme. That is on top of the millions of pounds we have already saved since 2010.

“It is our considered view that the only way of achieving that level of savings is by entering this strategic alliance with Avon and Somerset. I would like to emphasise that local policing will continue to be managed and delivered locally in response to the needs of our particular communities. This will be a major piece of work, and it will take time, but I am pleased with the early progress and I am sure that the appointment of a director will provide additional momentum.”

Sue Mountstevens, PCC for Avon and Somerset Police, said: “This important step demonstrates our shared desire to move forward with our plans and the benefits it will bring in delivering savings and help us minimise the impact of cuts on frontline policing.

Retiring Chief Constable Pat Geenty has said the only alternative to the agreement would be to lose 150 vital front line officers.

He said: “The one thing I am not prepared to do is to cut any of our front-line officers, so this was the best option to ensure we do not have to do that.”