Plans for a police takeover of the fire service have been supported by the county’s MPs.

All 11 Hertfordshire MPs wrote to Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Hertfordshire County Council leader Robert Gordon backing the plans, proposed by Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd.

Mr Lloyd said: “I welcome the support of all of Hertfordshire's MPs in holding this consultation into how we run our fire and rescue service.

“The government wants our emergency services to work more closely together and the business case suggests a number of benefits and I welcome the public's views on this important decision.”

READ MORE: Fire service takeover plans opposed by council

However the county council’s all-party community safety and waste management cabinet panel recently voiced their opposition to the proposals, saying they are “not in the interests of public safety, economy, efficiency or effectiveness”.

Panel chairman Terry Hone, responsible for community safety, said: “The existing service is much more than just an emergency service, and having firefighters working closely alongside other council staff like social workers, public health specialists and trading standards makes a huge difference to keeping our residents healthy and safe.

“We do recognise that it’s important for emergency services to work together, so the recommendation the panel is making to cabinet is that the best option for the fire service would be for it to remain part of the county council, but with the PCC given a strong formal role in how it’s run.”