Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner has praised the joint fleet services for South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue after it was announced that they have won Fleet of the Year – up to 1,000 vehicles award at the 2019 Fleet News Awards.

The two blue light services merged their fleet in 2018, under the leadership of Sarah Gilding and have 849 vehicles in the joint fleet.

Dr Billings, who is also a member of the Fire Authority, said: “I would like to congratulate Sarah and her team for their hard work in bringing the two fleets together and on winning this award.

“This award is testimony to the way the fleets have come together and have made significant reductions in emissions and costs.  They have introduced a number of electric and hybrid vehicles to the fleet with charging points in all police and fire buildings.

“This is a good example of how joint working can bring great benefits to both the services and the public.”

Councillor Chris Lamb, Chairman of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority said: “It is particularly pleasing given the very difficult financial climate in which both services are operating.  To win such an award less than 12 months after merging the fleet is quite remarkable – all of the staff should feel very proud of their achievement”.