Police merger climb down is very welcome

Release/Rhyddhau: 13/07/06

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

Welsh Liberal Democrats have welcomed the announcement by Police Minister Tony McNulty that the government is to ditch Police mergers - including proposals to replace four Welsh forces with a single body.

The party has consistently opposed the plans.

Mick Bates, Montgomeryshire AM and spokesperson on Police issues, said: "Labour's ill-thought out proposals to merge police forces are ending in a costly and ultimately wasteful climb down. I salute all those who have fought these ill-thought out proposals with such vigour.

"Money, time and lots of energy has been spent on this project which could have been more constructively used to focus on local policing. That is a shame. Now the Home Office must work with the Welsh forces to find practical ways of putting more bobbies on the beat, while working collaboratively where major crime snakes across borders."