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Letter to the Editor - Police Mergers

March 6, 2006 12:00 AM
By Eleanor Burnham in Daily Post

Charles Clarke has now stated that he is to press ahead with the Welsh police force merger despite objections from all four police authorities.

He has given police authorities, forces and chief constables until 2nd July to submit objections. This is yet another empty 'consultation' process. The Government has failed to listen to anything they have said so far.

None of the four Welsh Police Authorities want to merge - the Labour Government has rushed this process through without consultation or support from those who will be affected most - the police themselves.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have conducted a series of street referendums to give the people of Wales a chance to express their views. Over 80% of people in Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff and Wrexham do not believe the merger will improve community policing in their area.

North and South Wales are agreed on this. It begs the question, why does Charles Clarke continue to press an unpopular, uncosted policy on the people of Wales?

I believe the merger will mean poorer local community policing and higher bills. How much higher, we do not know. Labour Ministers Peter Hain and Edwina Hart can't even agree on how much it will cost.

Yours truly,

Eleanor Burnham AM

Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales

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