Fire chiefs could become chief constables despite no previous experience of arresting criminals.

The idea appears in proposals to allow elected Police and Crime Commissioners to take over fire services in England, which has been discussed at a police leaders’ summit in London this week.

The consultation says a fire chief with no experience as a constable could run both services, under a PCC.

Following discussions with the Home Office, Hertfordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd confirmed Hertfordshire will be one of the first areas to adopt the new process when it becomes law in the New Year.

It will mean David Lloyd, as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, would set the budget and priorities for the fire service, taking control from Hertfordshire County Council.

Richard Thake, cabinet member for community safety at Hertfordshire County Council, said “We’re keen to see emergency services working more closely together and are always open to looking at ways of making our services better and more efficient.

“The legislation that would allow the Police and Crime Commissioner to take on responsibility for the fire service is still going through parliament and may yet be amended.

“We believe that our current set-up is efficient, effective and democratically accountable. We’ll have to wait and see the detail of the PCC’s business case before deciding whether it would have the potential to provide a better service for our residents.”

PCC Lloyd, who was previously the portfolio holder for the Fire Service at the County Council, says the change is of benefit to the county:

He said: "There’s already a great deal of joint working between Hertfordshire’s fire and police services.

"Being able to make smarter use of the facilities we all own and ensure both services are delivering value for money."

David Lloyd has just stood down as chair of the Emergency Services Collaboration Working Group, a multi-agency national group which has been working on better integration of blue light services.

He added: “Hertfordshire has a fantastic fire service whose work is hugely valued and appreciated by the public.

"I made clear in my manifesto that further collaboration between the emergency services could provide more opportunities to improve the service and make sure the resources we have available are used to optimum effect.

“Like Hertfordshire Constabulary, there will still be a chief officer in charge of operations which is absolutely the right thing to have – I’m not a fire or police officer – but the way the budget is set and the priorities for the service are best set by someone accountable to the people of Hertfordshire.”

The proposals are part of a broad and detailed strategy to merge parts of emergency service planning and management.

Elected PCCs currently oversee the work of each police force and they have the power to appoint chief constables - while a separate body made up of local councillors oversees fire and rescue services.

Plans are now being drawn up.