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Press
& Publicity
20 June 2006 - HPA 218
POLICE AUTHORITY WELCOMES DELAY IN MERGER
Hertfordshire Police Authority welcomed Home Secretary John Reid’s statement that he will extend, for the present time, the closing date for submitting objections to a compulsory merger of Hertfordshire, Essex and Bedfordshire Police Forces.
“We welcome this opportunity to continue our discussions with the Home Secretary about the most effective way of improving all police services in Hertfordshire and our neighbouring counties,” said Chair of Hertfordshire Police Authority, Ian Laidlaw-Dickson.
“We are currently consulting the public about the merger proposals and will take on board what they tell us. Even though the tight deadline has been eased, the feedback we receive will help us to identify additional issues and concerns that we can debate with the Home Office over the coming months.”
Frank Whiteley, Chief Constable of Hertfordshire said: " The Home Secretary's announcement that he intends to allow more time for merger issues to be discussed, will help in resolving the legitimate concerns that have been raised over future financial and local accountability arrangements. In the meantime Hertfordshire Constabulary remains committed to working for a safer Hertfordshire."
The original deadline for raising objections to the merger was 11 August 2006. It was also expected that a number of compulsory orders for mergers of other forces would be laid before Parliament before the summer recess. No orders are now expected to be laid before the autumn, with the exception of an order for the voluntary merger of Lancashire and Cumbria.
Ian continued: “Despite this delay, we feel it important to continue our work with colleagues in Essex and Bedfordshire in looking at how services are provided and exploring opportunities for better joint working. Our aim is to provide the best possible police services that meets the needs of the people of Hertfordshire”.
The on-line survey is available on this website.
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