The Essex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is set to take on responsibility for fire services in the county.

Roger Hirst’s proposal that he should also hold responsibility for Essex Fire and Rescue Service was approved by Home Secretary Amber Rudd last week.

He is now set to become the first ever Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in October this year, after the government introduced new measures allowing for greater collaboration between emergency services.

Mr Hirst, said: “The people of Essex deserve to have the best possible emergency services.

“By bringing together the governance of the Essex Police and Essex Fire and Rescue Service we can support closer working and make investment decisions that will bring even bigger benefits in the future.

“By ensuring a more joined-up response to incidents, providing crime and fire prevention advice, creating community safety hubs, and sharing buildings we can improve how we work and generate significant savings which can then be reinvested back into front line services.”

Since their introduction in 2012, PCCs have been tasked with bringing transparency and accountability to police forces and their performance.

A number of other PCCs across the country are currently developing business cases or exploring options for the future governance of fire and rescue services.