A MAJOR crime unit – believed to be the first in the country - has been launched. The unit will see 145 staff from Herts police and Beds police working across both counties in four teams each led by a detective chief inspector. A fifth team will be resp

A MAJOR crime unit - believed to be the first in the country - has been launched.

The unit will see 145 staff from Herts police and Beds police working across both counties in four teams each led by a detective chief inspector.

A fifth team will be responsible for vital investigative support including major crime inquiry computer support, family liaison co-ordination and cold case investigations.

The unit will be head by Det Supt Andy Shrives, from Herts police.

He said: "This is the beginning of a new era of major crime investigations.

"While there have been significant changes within the service, the public should be reassured that our response to major crime remains of a high standard and in some areas will be enhanced."

Ian Laidlaw-Dickson, chairman of the Herts Police Authority, described the setting up of the unit as an "exciting new venture".

And Peter Conniff, chairman of the Beds Police Authority, said he was confident the new unit would "significantly enhance" the capability of solving major crime across the two counties.

A decision to enhance the collaboration between Herts police and Beds police around major crime was taken last year after merged plans were scrapped by the Government.

The Home Office has provided £300,000 start up funding for the unit and the rest of the running costs will come from existing budgets.