POLICE in Hertfordshire are looking at ways to improve policing across the east of England. Senior officers from Herts have met colleagues from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk to discuss co-operation. The move comes after Home Sec

POLICE in Hertfordshire are looking at ways to improve policing across the east of England.

Senior officers from Herts have met colleagues from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk to discuss co-operation.

The move comes after Home Secretary John Reid abandoned plans for controversial police mergers.

Herts police were earmarked to merge with Essex and Bedfordshire, while Cambridgeshire would have joined Suffolk and Norfolk under the restructure plans.

Members of the Herts Police Authority had rejected the merger plans.

But Brenda Griffiths, vice-chairman of the Herts Police Authority, said the threat of merger had given police the opportunity to look at working closer together.

"We will concentrate on opportunities for closer working on counter-terrorism, serious and organised crime, and support services," she said.

She stressed, however, they would not be looking at the setting-up of a regional body.

"We will be looking at a wide range of options for joint working, while maintaining our neighbourhood policing strategy," she said.

Meanwhile, Herts police are assessing the costs of preparing merger plans, and will be submitting a claim to the Home Office at the end of the month.