Top cops confirm All-Wales force will cost council taxpayers dear

12.00.00am GMT Mon 5th Dec 2005

Senior police officers have backed concerns first raised by the Welsh Liberal Democrats that merging Wales' four police forces will cost council tax payers millions.

In a letter to AMs and MPs Gwent Chief Constable Mike Tonge and Police Authority Chair Geraint Price-Thomas reveal that they will be forced to remove officers from the streets The letter states "The government's reform programme cannot be implemented without an associated cost."

Mike German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "This letter shows that senior police figures are increasingly concerned at the impact that replacing our four forces with a single super-force will have on their resources.

"Gwent tell me that next year's allocations mean quite simply that either they cut the number of bobbies on the beat, or council tax rises go through the roof. In reality, it is likely that both will happen."

This week will see a sharp focus on policing as the Assembly debates the issue in plenary, while at Westminster the Welsh Affairs Select Committee will hear evidence from Wales' four chief constables on the issue.