People in Kent opposed to Police force merger plans

People in Kent have delivered a resounding 'yes' vote to retain their own county police force. Kent Police Authority was told at a meeting on Wednesday 14 December that nearly four out of five people do not want their police service to merge with others under Home Office proposals to create new strategic regional forces.

Kent Police is submitting its case by 23 December, after evaluating five different options: two of which would see it remaining as a county force, while others include merging with Sussex and/or Surrey.

But consultation with residents in the county has returned overwhelming support for Kent Police to remain as a stand-alone force. People oppose any merger plans because they are worried that Kent Police would:

• lose its identity with the county and its people
• not perform as well as it does now, become more bureaucratic and be less efficient
• be less accessible and accountable, believing local decision-making is important in delivering successful policing

Those questioned in focus groups and a citizen panel survey were also concerned that too much money will be spent merging with another force. The financial cost is estimated at £91.4 million over 10 years, while the cost of becoming a single 'strategic' force would be just £1.1 million in the same period.

Consultation also included a wide range of councillors, parish councils and other community organisations. Meetings were also held with MPs, several district councils, stakeholders and other groups.

Most believed Kent Police is already well structured with enough officers and staff to cope with unique challenges including being a gateway to Europe, border patrol duties, having a diverse geography and policing major arterial roads.

Kent Police Authority Chair Mrs Ann Barnes said: "People, partners and stakeholders tell us they are overwhelmingly in favour of keeping Kent Police working for the people of Kent. These views support the authority's opinion that Kent is big enough as a force to meet the full range of policing needs across the county and the cost of merging with other forces would be far too high.

"We can have the best of both worlds in Kent - our own police force that is working in local communities with local people and one that is well placed to keep us as safe as possible from major crimes and the threat of terrorism.

Mark Oaten MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, said:

"We are not convinced that amalgamations are necessary. 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 gain impose more central control over policing, instead of giving greater power to local communities."