Kent police civilian staff could move to Essex or face redeployment or redundancy under plans to integrate the force's business services team with the neighboring county.

A consultation letter has been sent to 45 staff based at Northfleet, outlining the terms of the proposal which police say could save £500,000 a year.

The move is the latest in a long line of mergers between Kent and Essex, including both operational and back office teams, which formally began in 2007.

Business services at Kent Police encompass a variety of functions, including HR, finance, human resources, administration and facility management.

The current proposal is to move the Kent business service team, based at the force's business centre in Northfleet, to the Great Dunmow offices in Essex.

Staff who are not prepared to make the trip across the Dartford crossing could face redeployment or redundancy under the plans.

Kent Police were keen to stress that "no firm decisions have been made" about the move.

If a decision is made to approve the proposal, a spokesman said the office space currently occupied by business services will be used by other teams.

A Kent police spokesman said: "Kent Police continues to look at ways to improve how it provides a first class service to the people of Kent by regularly reviewing the way it operates and by making the most of its collaboration with Essex Police.

"On February 24, a proposal to consider combining the business centres for both forces was shared with staff in those teams and a consultation period has now begun."

Kent and Essex already share a number of resources under a collaboration deal signed in 2007.

Mergers of specific departments are referred to as section 23 agreements, after the relevant part of the Police Act 1996.

Each agreement requires collaborating forces to set out terms including funding, accountability, resources and command.

Shared frontline services include the serious crime directorate and the marine unit, but many more back office functions are already merged, including IT services and procurement.