A NEW shared office space will help the fire brigade save £49,000 a year.
Last week, the Witness Care Unit from TVP and Victims First came together in new office space in Newsham Court at Calcot, Reading.
Thames Valley Police and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said that by working together there are benefits to the local tax payer.
Matthew Barber, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Working together and sharing accommodation with other emergency services both increases opportunities for more partnership work and provides savings for the public.
“As part of the redesign of the OPCC (Office of Police and Crime Commissioner) funded services for victims we were able to save nearly £300,000 which allowed us to reinvest more resource in directly supporting victims in need.
“The offer of accommodation within RBFRS headquarters contributed to achieving some of these savings and working alongside the TVP Witness Care Unit helps us deliver better and more integrated services to victims who are going through the criminal justice system.
“We will continue to explore opportunities to collaborate and where possible share accommodation with other emergency services to ensure that we provide the best possible service and value for money to the communities of Thames Valley.”
