Government haste must not fracture community police links

2.37.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Sep 2005

Home Secretary Charles Clarke's rush to create larger, more remote police forces risks breaking the affection people feel for their local bobby, says Mike German AM.

Mr German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats in the Assembly, fears that a single force for Wales would harm local policing and that the government is racing ahead with a change which may create more problems than it solves.

Mr German said: "The Government is rushing to judgement on this vitally important issue. The timetable that is being set out is too rapid.

"Charles Clarke wants it done and dusted by Christmas."

In a letter to chief constables and Authority Chairs, Mr Clarke says he wants to the most promising options for restructuring by the end of October with final decisions by December 23. "I recognise that the timetable I have set out is a challenging one," writes Mr Clarke in his letter.

"Police Forces in Wales already work together where necessary to tackle large strategic issues. I'm sure they can do more of this, while preserving their vital links with their local communities. I am not convinced that a larger police force will be a better police force," said Mr German.

The Home Office is intent on police forces of at least 4,000 officers. Wales currently has 7,600 officers across four forces.

Mr German added: "A single police force covering all of Wales would cover an enormous area. Even if there were two forces, then creating one for Gwent and South Wales including the valleys, that would still leave a second force stretching from Pembroke to Prestatyn, and from Hay-on-Wye to Holyhead. How can a force covering such a huge area, with challenging geography, provide effective community policing?"

Mr German said the government's haste would mean breaking up the successful Welsh police forces.

"Charles Clarke says he wants the process to be "designed owned and led by the Service". But the reality is that he is forcing this re-organisation on the police in Wales - where the present system works well. It isn't broke, and it doesn't need fixing."