Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said she fears policing faces years of chaos and disruption should plans for proposed force mergers be given the go-ahead.
Reports this week suggest that a government review due to published by the end of the year will recommend the number of police forces in England being dramatically reduced to as little as nine ‘mega-forces’.
That would likely mean Surrey Police will disappear and be merged with their neighbours which could include Sussex, Thames Valley, Kent and Hampshire.
Lisa said she believes the ‘disastrous’ plans would result in precious policing resources being diverted away from communities in Surrey.
This summer, the Commissioner carried out a survey in which 80% of the 3,500 residents who took part said they did not want to see Surrey Police merged with neighbouring forces.
Lisa said: “The overwhelming majority of Surrey residents I surveyed told me loud and clear they do not believe these merger plans are a good idea.
“In my view, these proposals are not in any way taking into account what the public want to see from their local policing service and are not in the best interests of our residents.
“These planned reforms seem based on assumptions that bigger forces are better at cutting crime but current data tells a different story with local county forces outperforming some of the much bigger policing areas.
Prospect of a diluted service
“The public want to see crime tackled in their communities, victims supported and to feel safe where they live. These deserve better than these plans and the prospect of a diluted local policing service.
“Last week, the Government announced that Surrey would be getting a mayor which I think is great news. But how will a mayoral authority align with a regional mega-force?
“It risks undermining the benefits of devolution and compromising any accountability for policing in our county.”
An event organised by the Metropolitan Police is taking place in Manchester today (Friday 6 November) where senior policing figures are expected to press for a reduction in the number of forces.
This comes ahead of the expected publication of Lord Hogan-Howe’s review of proposals for police reform which are due before the end of the year.
Lisa added: “I am not saying police reform is not required. On the contrary, it is needed now more than ever and I support the creation of a national police service which can tackle those issues which cross our policing borders such as counter-terrorism, fraud and serious and organised crime.
“But these plans risk throwing the baby out with the bathwater and diminishing that local policing presence which I know our residents in Surrey value so greatly.
“Local policing priorities, accountability, police response and officer visibility would languish and the cost to the tax-payer to implement these plans would be enormous.
“I believe policing would face years of chaos and disruption which would ultimately mean the service our hard-working officers and staff provide to the public would inevitably suffer.”
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