The appointment by the Hampshire and Thames Valley police forces is aimed at improving service and collaboration, while reducing costs

Two neighbouring police forces have appointed a joint ICT director.

Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police have said that the appointment of John Hall represents the first time such a joint role has been created. It follows a joint study on how they could collaborate more closely.

Hall, who started in early November, is based at the Hampshire Constabulary headquarters in Winchester and is also spending time at the Thames Valley Police headquarters in Kidlington, Oxfordshire. He manages around 320 staff across the two forces.

Hall has almost 30 years experience in ICT, primarily in financial services.

The forces said that Hall's priorities in the job are to:

• Provide overall strategic direction for police information systems across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and the Thames Valley
• Develop IT skills, knowledge and experience across both forces
• Improve service resilience and availability
• Identify and deliver improvements in operational effectiveness and efficiency

Hall said: "I am keen to explore ways to better utilise our skills and experience to cope with the increasing demands put upon the police service, and I will also be seeking opportunities to improve our collective performance and delivery capabilities."

Councillor Adrian Collett, vice chair of Hampshire Police Authority, said: "We have great hopes that this will help reduce costs, plus achieve better value for money and faster progress for both forces in this vital area of work. The appointment of this joint director of ICT is an important part of making this happen."

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