All-Wales Police Merger: Statement

12.00.00am GMT Wed 8th Feb 2006

Ahead of a statement today by the Assembly Government on the police force merger in Wales, Mike German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats said:

"I want assurances that despite having this merger forced upon us, it will not be Welsh council taxpayers that bear the brunt of the costs.

"According to the treasurer of Dyfed-Powys police authority the merger could cost £57 million in Wales. Yet Charles Clarke has only set aside £125 million for the whole of England and Wales. If this remains the case, we'll be picking up the bill for a process we didn't want.

"Charles Clarke is an example of the worst kind of door-to-door salesman. In Gwent, South Wales, Dyfed-Powys and the North he came knocking and was told that they're happy with the current service and they didn't want to be forced to share. Yet we've ended up with one single, shared service and been landed with a whopping great bill for it!"

Commenting on previous news tat the All-Wales police merger could see a large hike in council tax, Mike German said, "The Government's rush to judgement over the future of the police in Wales could send council tax bills soaring across large parts of the Wales with Monmouthshire Council Tax payers facing a 30 per cent hike in the police precept."

Mr. German, who represents the Gwent region, previously commented after the Gwent Police Authority released financial implications from its 'Police Reform in Wales' survey into the proposed merger of Gwent into one all-Wales police service.

The Police Authority report estimates that the increase in the police precept (a portion of the council tax paid) will need to increase from the present £145.07 a year for Gwent to a potential £191.34, representing 32 per cent increase over two years.

Mr. German added, "Rhodri Morgan made great play yesterday of his telephone link with London - well for all the notice the Home Secretary has taken of Welsh views on the police merger the line must have been down recently, and the carrier pigeon that was sent got lost somewhere between Cathays Park and the Home Office.

Merger will spell higher council tax for many people across Wales

"By bashing together our police forces without thinking through the cost and impact, local taxpayers will have to foot the bill for less local accountability, less localised policing and a lesson in Home Office bully-boy tactics."