Concerned Over Police Merger Plans

I am very concerned by the plans to merge Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Police Forces. As will be even more evident after today's emergency budget, tough decisions lie ahead for all public sector organisations, including the police, and Bedford Borough residents could lose out if those decisions are taken more remotely.

At a briefing for Councillors and myself at Bedford Borough Council last week, the Police Authority Chair was unable to say whether or not Bedford Borough would have any representation whatsoever on the Police Authority of a Beds and Herts force. If no-one is speaking up for Borough residents, we know who is likely to be most vulnerable when it comes to the decisions to allocate stretched resources.

"I know only too well that major savings have to be found across public sector organisations, of course. But I am not satisfied that the police has looked seriously at other options, such as joint arrangements with other public sector bodies. For example, there have been no discussions between the police and either myself or the Council's Chief Executive to discuss joint working with the Council. I would be very happy to have these discussions and look for opportunities to benefit local taxpayers while protecting frontline services provided by the Police and the Council.

To read more of my thoughts following the briefing from the Chief Constable and Police Authority Chair, see http://www.bedfordlibdems.org.uk/news/000765/mayor_dave_hodgson_challenges_police_chiefs_over_merger_plans.html