Lynne Featherstone MP, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson, commenting ahead of the lobbying of MPs by the Association of Police Authorities today over Home Office plans to merge police forces, said:

“The Government’s proposals are a double whammy for local communities.People will be expected to fork out more Council Tax to pay for the cost of the mergers, but at the same time they will have less of a say in how their police force is run.

“The Home Secretary should look carefully at the alternative suggestions on the table. He can deliver improvements in policing without severing local links.”