Each region in England and Wales has a special operations unit (SOU), working across county boundaries to tackle terrorism and serious organised crime.<\/p>\n
The Eastern Region SOU, external<\/a> includes more than 850 police officers and staff, covering Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk. <\/p>\n Forces in the East of England also share ideas and try to reduce duplication through the eastern region innovation network, external<\/a>. <\/p>\n Northamptonshire is a member of the East Midlands SOU, while Thames Valley is part of the South East SOU.<\/p>\n Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire forces also collaborate in several other areas.<\/p>\n They have shared major crime, roads policing, dog and scientific support units, as well as collaborating on armed police, firearms licensing and human resources.<\/p>\n Likewise, Norfolk and Suffolk have a special operations joint command, which includes criminal justice, roads policing, firearms, dogs, operational support and firearms licensing.<\/p>\n The two forces also share some IT and human resources functions.<\/p>\n