JOB losses are looming as Wiltshire Police looks to save money by sharing services with a neighbouring force.

Talks have begun with Avon and Somerset Police about forming a “strategic alliance” as both forces seek to drastically cut costs.

The two forces already share a major crime investigation team, and special branch, but could now also share more services, with job losses “inevitable” according to Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson.

Mr Macpherson stressed the two forces were not merging and both would retain their own leadership and identity.

“Local policing – which we know is so important to our communities – would continue to be delivered locally in response to communities’ needs,” he said.

“Police budgets are in a very challenging state and in the coming years this collaboration would help find the savings that both forces need to make.”

Despite major cuts over the last four years, Witshire Police needs to save another £12m by 2018.

Bosses hope the “alliance” will soften the impact on frontline policing.

The talks, which began in December, are still at an early stage, but it has been agreed that specialist police resources including protective services and corporate services will be shared.

Both forces will retain their Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables, and neighbourhood and response policing will continue to be run locally.

Avon and Somerset Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said she was very optimistic about finding ways of working more closely together in the future.

“We have a good track record with existing collaborations and there are clear benefits for both forces in pursuing further opportunities,” she said.

The two Deputy Chief Constables are looking at exactly which areas to include in the “strategic alliance”.

Since 2010, the 43 police forces in England and Wales have seen their budgets reduced by 20 per cent.