Library staff at Norfolk County Council will be helping people access police services as part of a six month pilot scheme.

The trial will see library staff help residents to complete online self-reporting forms, such as enquiring about lost and found items.

Norfolk Constabulary hopes the savings achieved by closing its Police Public Enquiry Office (PEO) will help plug a funding of deficit of £5m.

Chair of the council’s Communities Committee, Margaret Dewsbury, said: ‘This trial will be a natural extension of the way libraries already help and support people to access a very wide range of public services and as part of its role as a trusted, one-stop source of information in local communities.

‘It’s also a great example of the way we can help to join up public services and increase their efficiency in these times of austerity.’

Members of the public using the library for a police related matter will be asked to complete a satisfaction survey. The results of the project will be presented the council and chief officers after the six month trail to assess if the new partnership has been a success.

Chief constable Simon Bailey added: ‘The purpose of this pilot is to retain our public enquiry service in a more efficient, collaborative way. We are keen to retain such a service despite facing further significant budget reductions to funding.’