MP says police merger will see cuts in local police numbers

Local MP Stephen O'Brien has warned that a police funding shortfall could lead to the loss of dozens of police officers in Crewe & Nantwich. A report by the Association of Chief Police Officers warns that Government proposals to merge police forces and provide protective services cannot be achieved without additional Government funding. But since the Home Office budget has been frozen, police forces may be forced to cut back on their workforce to balance the books.

Stephen O'Brien said this could result in 34 fewer officers in the Crewe area and up to 391 police officers lost across Cheshire. He added: "I believe the public want to see more, not fewer, uniformed police officers patrolling the streets. Despite the need for more police officers, the Government is instead driving through the abolition of the county-based Cheshire police and the costly proposed merger with the Merseyside force with insufficient debate, scrutiny, resources and against the wishes of local people".

This month's Vote Poll on Audlem Online seems, so far, to support the view that the proposed merger is against the wishes of local people. By a margin of about 10 to 1, the votes are against a police merger. If you wish to vote, select your choice of Yes/No/Unsure and click on 'Vote Now'. You can only vote once. You can check the votes so far by clicking on 'View Results' beneath the 'Vote Now' box.

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