FIRE and police officers are set to team up in the new Portland Emergency Services Centre.

A behind-the-scenes look at the new centre will take place this Friday at 3pm at Portland Fire Station, Grove Road, and will be attended by Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill, Chief Inspector Ian Roe from Dorset Police and Chief Fire Officer Darran Gunter.

Hosted by Mr Gunter the preview event will be for representatives from the Police, Fire Service and local councillors.

The move is part of a growing collaboration between the two services.

Portland Fire Station is set to be the second in Dorset to become an operational base shared by both Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and the police. Later this month officers and support staff from Dorset Police will move into the newly refurbished fire station on Grove Road, Portland. Officers from the Portland Safer Neighbourhood Team will also be based at the fire station which is used by retained firefighters.

Chief Fire Officer Darran Gunter said: "Dorset firefighters and police officers already work closely together and, by operating from the same location, we can build upon this collaboration.

"This move brings operational staff under the same roof and will allow both the police and the fire service to make savings and target our funding at frontline services.

“Having analysed a range of accommodation options, it was agreed that a shared operational centre in Portland offered the most beneficial and cost-effective long term solution.

“This joint initiative illustrates our commitment to working with Dorset Police to deliver the best and most efficient service to residents and who live and visit the county.”

Dorset Police officers from the Portland Safer Neighbourhood Team were previously located in Victoria Buildings and then more recently based in Portland Port.

Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Ian Roe said: “Through this joint venture our Portland SNT’s will be working from an improved location in the heart of Portland.

“As well as an extension to provide space for both emergency services to work alongside each other, a community room has also been provided for joint use and by community groups. The shared premises will also be used by response police officers when required during their duties in that area.”

Dorset PCC, Martyn Underhill, said: “In times of austerity we welcome any effective collaboration between our blue-light service partners and we continue to explore different opportunities to work more closely and share facilities to provide the best possible service to the public.”