Welsh Police merger threat delayed by Home Office - Michael German comments

11.52.39am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Jun 2006

Michael German on patrol with Community Support Officer in Monmouth - neighbourhood policing budgets face a squeeze under all-wales police merger plans

Commenting on John Reid's announcement today that he is delaying the merger of the four Welsh police services, Michael German AM, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats in the National Assembly for Wales said:

"John Reid has belatedly acknowledged the Home Office's rush to judgement on this issue. The concerted pressure from politicians, chief constables and police authorities in Wales - and their counterparts in other parts of the UK - has paid off. I am only disappointed that he has merely delayed this process, and has missed an opportunity to call a complete halt.

"Wales' communities believe that their local policing will suffer under the merger plans. Chief constables have yet to be re-assured about the funding. I hope that the Home Secretary will use this extra time to re-consider the mergers - or better still, give the people of Wales the power to decide how best to organise their police forces."

"Credit to John Reid for taking a serious lead on this contentious issue.

"As far as we're concerned this is a common sense measure and the Home Office is wise to take time out to put more thought in to a move which will affect Welsh policing for decades.

"We have always opposed this merger and the delay gives us the space to enter a meaningful dialogue with the Home Office about the best way to police Wales."

For more details of the Welsh Liberal Democrat opposition to the merger, and street referendum results see:

http://www.welshlibdems.org.uk/news_e_theme.asp?newsTheme=Justice%20and%20Crime