Rushed Police Reforms Will Cost Millions

6.00.00pm GMT Mon 19th Dec 2005

Mark Chapman believes we will lose local accountability

Local Liberal Democrats added their voice today to the growing calls for the merger of police forces to be suspended. As the reforms were about to go before Parliament, Councillor Mark Chapman said "Just as Bedfordshire Police have started to deliver local accountability, they are being rushed down the road of radical reform. This process has been badly thought out, and local views from across the political and social spectrum are being steamrollered."

Mark Oaten, Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary

Commenting ahead of the Commons debate on police force mergers, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Mark Oaten MP said:

"This rushed and expensive merger programme will cost millions for our forces to put it in place. It will take money away from front line policing, or result in an increase in council tax bills.

"It's true that smaller forces can struggle with complex cases, but they should be provided with a national resource they can call on, not be forced into a merger that will seriously undermine local accountability."