ESSEX will continue to have its own stand-alone police force, despite growing financial pressures, its chief constable has assured.

Jim Barker-McCardle insisted there were no plans to merge with neighbouring constabulary Kent, or any other force, despite having to make £45million worth of savings by 2014.

He spoke after issuing his quarterly report, covering the period of January to March this year, which reveals the extent to which Essex and Kent police are now collaborating.

The two forces already share their helicopter, air support unit and marine unit. Last year they formed the Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate, which targets organised crime.

The report reveals the two forces are now looking at creating a shared business centre for finance, human resource and administration staff.

The two forces are sharing IT resources, a partnership which has already saved nearly £4million across both forces, and the two forces are now also looking to jointly buy identical uniforms Police in Essex have joined a consortium of nine forces who have teamed up to buy squad cars in bulk to secure better discounts.

However, Mr Barker-McCardle said working with Kent was the “smart way forward” and refuted any suggestions a constabulary merger was back on the cards.

He said: “We will have a stand-alone force.

“I have no appetite for a merger at all.

“Despite what some people say, collaboration is not a merger by the back door.

“Essex Police will be Essex Police.

“The police cars and cap badges will say Essex and there will be an Essex Chief Constable.”

In 2006, Government plans to force Essex Police to merge with constabularies in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire were shelved following massive public opposition.

Mr Barker-McCardle added: “If having support services in collaboration frankly drives down costs, then it keeps the cost of policing down for the people of Essex.

“It is the smart way forward and better value for the people of Essex.”