Mersey link up is 'way forward' (From Warrington Guardian)

Mersey link up is 'way forward'

CHESHIRE Constabulary will merge with neighbours Merseyside if Home Secretary Charles Clarke has his wish.

Cheshire Police Authority chairman Peter Nurse and Cheshire Constabulary chief constable Peter Fahy met with Charles Clarke on Monday afternoon to discuss merger options available for the 150-year force.

The move followed a report by Her Majesty Inspectorate of Constabulary, released in November, which argued the current 43 forces in England and Wales were failing to meet the demands of serious crime, counter terrorism and policing.

And now a Cheshire Police spokesman has revealed a Merseyside collaboration has been suggested. He said: "At that meeting the Home Secretary indicated that he would provide further information in relation to future funding and indicated he would like to see a merger between Cheshire Constabulary and Merseyside police service.

"In the mean time the police authority will await the further information promised by the Home Secretary before determining its response."

The Home Secretary reviewed options put forward by forces at the end of last year.