Police force merger welcomed (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Police force merger welcomed

THE merging of Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire police forces is long overdue, according to a Swindon councillor.

A report published on Friday said Wiltshire Constabulary was too small to cope with terrorism and organised crime, leading to speculation the force would merge with Dorset and Hampshire.

Coun Steve Wakefield (Con, Toothill and Westlea) said: "I fully support the proposal to merge the Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire police services.

"This is long overdue and there is a precedent for it. Our neighbours Avon and Somerset and Thames Valley are examples of amalgamations working.

"The saving on senior officers' pay will be transferred to the front line. There will be no reason to have three chief constables and their staff officers.

"Joining with Dorset and Hampshire makes sense. It should have been done in 1968. Let's hope that this government will not cave in like the Wilson one did on police reform."