BUYING essential equipment in bulk or collectively with other police forces have delivered savings of almost £1.5 million in Cheshire since 2015.

Cheshire Police has saved £240,000 while purchasing Microsoft Surface 3 tablets, £100,000 while buying forensics equipment and £61,000 in its purchase of a remotely operated vehicle.

Home Office data revealed forces across England and Wales have saved £273 million since 2015, with some reducing costs by up to 63 per cent per item through buying collectively, or in bulk.

David Keane, Cheshire's police and crime commissioner, hailed the cost-cutting approach.

He said: "I'm pleased that here in Cheshire we've been able to save almost £1.5 million on equipment costs through effective procurement.

"This significant saving has been achieved through purchasing essential items – such as uniforms and vehicles – collectively with other forces or buying in bulk, where appropriate.

"Cheshire Constabulary has faced a 37 per cent real term cut in funding since 2010.

"With police funding expected to be slashed even further by central Government in future years, we will continue to work hard to find further efficiencies to ensure the taxpayer is getting value for money and to enable us to invest our limited resources into frontline policing to keep the people of Cheshire safe."