Keetch welcomes announcement on police mergers by the Home Secretary

9.50.19pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd Jun 2006

Following a recent announcement on police mergers by the Home Secretary, Dr John Reid MP, West Midlands Liberal Democrats MP, Paul Keetch, has welcomed the news that no decision on the potential merger of West Midlands Police Forces will be taken until the autumn.

Dr Reid said that further discussion was needed and that no decision would be taken before the Parliamentary Recess on the 25 July. The plans could see the merger of West Midlands Police with West Mercia, Warwickshire and Staffordshire to create a regional 'Super Force'

Commenting, Mr Keetch said "This is very encouraging news and it shows that the new Home Secretary is willing to listen to the concerns of West Mercia Police and local residents before making any rash decisions on the future of local policing.

"I congratulate the determination of the West Mercia Constabulary and Police Authority to prevent the merger. I have met with them on numerous occasions to discuss this issue and they must be satisfied that their negotiations have earned a temporary reprieve.

"The fight is still not over and we must continue to press the Government to abandon its ill-conceived plans on policing."