Norfolk and Suffolk police have approved plans to cut civilian jobs by sharing more backroom departments.

The business support review has been approved by both counties' police authorities and staff have been informed.

No figures have been announced on job losses, but the move is aimed at saving at least �9.8m across both forces within four years.

Charlie Hall, assistant chief constable for collaboration, said: 'Our priority is to re-design our support functions so that they can support both our individual frontline services and collaborated teams more efficiently, whilst ensuring we can deliver the best possible service to our communities.

'We acknowledge the fact that, while there will be efficiency increases, it is inevitable that some jobs will be lost. We are committed to managing this as sensitively as possible through regular communication and engagement opportunities with staff.'

Stephen Bett, chairman of Norfolk police authority said: 'The business support review demonstrates our commitment to reducing back office costs to protect frontline policing services for Norfolk's communities.'

t For a full report, including union reaction, see tomorrow's newspaper.