THE body that regulates the police force will extend its authority to take responsibility for the fire and rescue service.

The new HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services and will expand to become a fully integrated inspectorate for the police and fire and rescue services.

Inspections will allow the public to see - from a small number of easy to understand categories - how well their local fire and rescue service is performing and improving year on year.

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Thomas Winsor, said: “This marks a momentous chapter in the 160-year history of HMIC.

"We will draw on our experience of inspecting on police forces to develop a framework to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the 45 fire and rescue services in England."