The Home Office is proposing to order a compulsory merger of Hertfordshire Constabulary with the Police Forces of Bedfordshire and Essex. This comes after Police Authorities in all three counties rejected proposals for a voluntary merger. In making its decision, Hertfordshire Police Authority raised with the Home Secretary the concerns you have already identified (listed in Question 2 below).
The main reason given by the Home Secretary for the merger is to improve the ability of police forces to deal with the special cross-border crimes or 'protective services', such as counter-terrorism, major and serious crime and public order. The Police Authority wants to make sure that your local policing services do not suffer as a result.
The Home Secretary had originally given local councils and police authorities until 11 August 2006 to raise any objections to his plans. He has now extended that deadline, although a new closing date has not been given.
We would like to know your views and will take them into consideration when we agree our response to the Home Secretary.
In line with the Home Secretary's announcement we have now extended the deadline to complete our questionnaire until Friday 8 September 2006.
The final decision for a compulsory merger will be made by the Home Secretary and Parliament.
Please CLICK HERE to complete the questionnaire (Word format) and return it to us by
FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2006, either by post, or email, or you can complete the online questionnaire below.
Alternatively, you can text us MERGEYES or MERGENO on 81025 (standard text rate charges apply).
For more information on Police Force Restructuring CLICK HERE. |
