£20million of public money has been saved by an ongoing programme of collaboration between emergency services in Essex according to a recent review.

Since its inception in 2017, the Essex Emergency Services Collaboration Programme (ESCP) has been a cornerstone of innovation and partnership between Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS), the East of England Ambulance Service Trust, and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC).

A new review into the programme shows the ESCP is on track to save the Essex taxpayer £20m in efficiencies – a testament to the power of collaboration in public service.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “The Essex Emergency Services Collaboration Programme is a powerful example of how working together delivers real results for our communities. From improving safety for women and girls through Project Minerva to streamlining frontline response with Tri-Service Officers, we are not only saving money – we are saving lives. I’m proud of the £20 million in efficiencies we’re on track to deliver, but even prouder of the safer, more resilient Essex we’re building together.”

The ESCP was established to meet the statutory duty to collaborate, but it has gone far beyond compliance. It has become a strategic vehicle for delivering smarter, more integrated services that improve outcomes for the public while reducing duplication and cost. The programme has supported over a dozen major projects, each designed to enhance operational effectiveness, community safety, and value for money.

Rick Hylton, Chief Fire Officer of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Collaboration Programme has enabled us to deliver real change in how we work together across services. From prevention to response, we are seeing the benefits of shared knowledge, joint training, and integrated delivery. It’s making Essex safer, and it’s making our services stronger.”

BJ Harrington QPM, Chief Constable of Essex Police, said: “Working effectively together isn’t just a statutory duty—it helps us prevent crime and keep people safe. Crime is falling In Essex but our officers and staff across the force, whether in Neighbourhood Policing Teams, response units or specialist teams are never complacent. This work is delivering change and I support it.”

Among the groundbreaking projects which have improved efficiency are Project Minerva, the introduction of Tri-service rural prevention officers, an arson prevention programme and Shared Estate Classrooms.

There is also greater use of joint facilities, with ambulance crews now deploying from Essex County Fire and Rescue Stations, to enhance the ‘hub and spoke’ model. Essex Police officers are also now able to use Essex County Fire and Rescue Service stations as operational bases while on patrol.