80% of residents who took part in a survey by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend say they do not want to see Surrey Police merged with neighbouring forces.
The vast majority of those who took part said they feared local policing priorities, accountability, police response and officer visibility would suffer if the Government pressed ahead with plans to create regional ‘mega forces’.
Under proposals for police reform announced in January, the Government intends to scrap the current 43 force system in England and Wales and create larger regional forces in their place.
It would likely mean Surrey Police will disappear and be merged with their neighbours which could include Sussex, Thames Valley, Kent and Hampshire.
44% unaware of plans
Nearly 3,500 people took part in the survey which the PCC launched in June saying she was concerned the Government had not consulted local residents about the merger plans.
The Commissioner said she will now share the results with those currently tasked by Government with reviewing the proposals with a report expected in the autumn.
A total of 3,430 people answered the survey and were asked whether they believed Surrey Police should be merged with other forces.
80% of respondents said ‘No’, they wanted Surrey Police to stay as it is, 16% said ‘Yes’ to merging forces while the remaining 4% said they didn’t know.
44% of those who took part also said they were unaware of the Government merger plans before taking part in the PCC’s consultation.
Respondents were also asked to select what they felt were the main risks and benefits of police force mergers from a list of options.
In terms of risks – 42% said they felt there would be less focus on local policing priorities while a further 32% said they feared policing would be less responsive locally meaning slower response times or police being harder to contact.
11% said they felt police would be less accountable to local residents while 10% felt there would be less visibility of local officers.
53% of respondents said they did not know what the benefits of merging forces would be. 21% felt that more savings and efficiencies allowing for further investment in policing would be the main benefit whilst 16% said they felt it would result in stronger specialist capabilities and the ability to tackle more complex crimes.
Respondents were also given the option of leaving their own comments on the merger plans with over 2,000 giving their views.
“Hands off!”
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Towsend said: “I think the results of the survey speak for themselves – it is crystal clear the overwhelming majority of Surrey residents who took part do not believe this merger plan is a good idea.
“I believe that the strength of feeling evident in the comments people have left send a clear message – hands off our local police force!
“Our residents in Surrey value local policing in their communities and don’t want to see that eroded by merging our force with its neighbours.
“The Chief Constable and I have been carrying out our Policing Your Community roadshow in all 11 borough and districts in Surrey over the summer where residents have told us loud and clear how crucial that local policing presence is to them across the county.
“This survey has reinforced that view and suggests to me that the majority of Surrey residents share my view and don’t want to see our precious police resources diverted away from our communities.
“The fact that around half of those who answered the survey were previously unaware of the Government’s plans to merge forces and didn’t know what the benefits would be tells its own story.
“There is clearly a lack of awareness of these proposals and the public have not been consulted. That is why I launched my survey back in June – to make sure Surrey residents have their voice heard on this really important decision for the future of policing in our county.
“I want to thank everyone that took to the time to participate – your views are incredibly important to me.
“I will now be sharing the results of this survey with those who are making the decisions around force mergers and will continue to oppose these plans which I don’t believe are in the best interests of Surrey residents.”