Force merger 'is not the only option' (From Warrington Guardian)

Force merger 'is not the only option'

A LEADING police figure has hit out at the Home Secretary's suggestion Cheshire Constabulary should merge with neighbouring Merseyside.

Cheshire Police Authority chairman Peter Nurse spoke out following a meeting on Monday, February 6, where Charles Clarke suggested the 150-year-old force should collaborate with the Liverpool force.

The move follows an Her Majesty Inspectorate of Constabulary report, released in November, revealing the 43 existing forces in England and Wales were failing to tackle serious crime, counter terrorism and police effectively.

But Mr Nurse said the Home Secretary's proposal will not solve problems.

He added: "I am extremely disappointed with the Home Secretary's decision that the only option for the future of Cheshire policing is a merger with Merseyside.

"We have made clear in our submissions that this option will, in no way, fill the gap identified by the Home Secretary's officials in tackling terrorism and serious and organised crime.

"We have been given no answers to the questions we asked about how the merger will be funded, what the impact on our council taxpayers will be and how the service will be accountable to our local communities."

Mr Nurse said appropriate time has not been allocated for reaching a conclusion.

He added: "We have been given another ridiculously short period of time to reach a decision on this matter, by February 24, and if we do not voluntarily accept his plans for the merger it will be imposed on us by statutory procedures.

"The Police Authority will be considering all options and will make its views known to the Home Secretary by this deadline.

"These views will be developed in the best interests of the people of Cheshire."