Goldsworthy slams plans for Police merger

12.00.00am GMT Fri 16th Dec 2005

Falmouth and Camborne MP, Julia Goldsworthy has slammed Government proposals for the amalgamation of Police Forces in the South West.

Goldsworthy has come out strongly against the Government's controversial shake-up of Police Forces in the region amid concerns that it could have massive economic and logistic implications for local people. With a possible increase in the regions Council Tax bills by £30 a year to pay for the merger, local people are worried that the new system will have little if any benefits to offer them on the current system of policing in the South West, despite costing them more money.

Commenting Julia Goldsworthy said:

"This is a completely unnecessary measure being adopted by the Government. The

Police merger has nothing to offer rural communities who will feel alienated by a more centralised Police Force.

"With a hike of thirty pounds in local Council Tax bills, the Government's claim that the new system will be more efficient and create more savings is absurd. With the inclusion of big cities like Bristol, all the merger would do is draw vital rural Police services towards urban centres and create a less locally accountable Police force that is further away for most people"

"The fact that the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary has pledged to oppose a unitary Police force is proof that the Government are not listening to local voices, but ramming through measures that are inappropriate and unpopular "