An agreement which saw police forces in the West Country share resources like firearms, dogs and road policing units has been scrapped.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary had been working with Wiltshire Police and Gloucestershire Constabulary since 2013, pooling specialist services.

Independent reviews called for the forces to make changes to the agreement, with shortcomings in policy, briefing systems and technology – but negotiations have broken down and the parties have walked away without a deal.

A joint statement from Andy Marsh, Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Constabulary, and Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “Working together with neighbouring forces and other partners is absolute common sense.

“It shares our expertise, training and costs however it has got to work in the interests of all parties, for our staff and residents.”