Government proposals may spell the end for Kent Police

Kent Police may be amalgamated with the Surrey and Sussex forces in a series of proposals put forward by the home secretary Charles Clarke. The restructuring proposals, which could see the number of police forces in England and Wales reduced from 43 to 12, were announced by Mr Clarke on Thursday as part of an ongoing review.

The plans follow a report in September from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary saying the current force structure was "no longer fit for purpose".

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "The number of forces could be as few as 12 but only if the forces choose to take that option. This is just a steer from us. They do not have to follow our guidance. The home secretary is simply saying: 'This is my preferred option for you.'"

Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten is concerned by the proposals. As the plans were unveiled, he said:

"Efficiency savings could be made by sharing resources between the smaller forces and by setting up a national resource to help forces deal with particularly complex investigations.

"It seems that once again the government is trying to impose more central control over policing, instead of giving greater power to local communities."

Mr Clarke has written to chief constables proposing the following options for the South East region:

• Two strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex plus Thames Valley and Hampshire
• Three forces - one for Kent alone, another for Thames Valley and a third for Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.
• Three strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire as a standalone force
• Three strategic forces - Kent and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire and Surrey
• Four strategic forces - Kent as a standalone strategic force; Thames Valley as a standalone strategic force; Surrey and Sussex; and Hampshire as a standalone strategic force