10 February 2006
The Home Office is to press ahead with police force mergers, despite widespread opposition from police authorities.
In a written statement to Parliament on February 6, Home Secretary Charles Clarke said there were four areas where merger offered the best solution.
The four Welsh forces are to be merged into a single force for Wales. In England, two regional 'super-forces' are to be created. Cleveland, Durham and Northumberland will be merged into a single Northeast force, while Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Mercia will be absorbed into the West Midlands police.
The Northwest, however, will be served by three strategic forces. Greater Manchester will remain as a stand-alone force, while Cheshire & Merseyside and Cumbria & Lancashire will be merged to create the other two forces.
Clarke stressed that his decision was based on professional assessments. 'We will address the concerns which have been raised by police authorities regarding issues of finance and governance,' he said.
PFfeb2006
