(UK)Police forces 'to be cut to 24'

[Geezah]

The number of police forces in England and Wales will be cut from 43 to 24 under controversial merger plans, Home Secretary Charles Clarke has announced.

In the East Midlands, five existing constabularies will merge to form one "super force".

Two other new forces will be created from six existing county forces in the east of England, and Surrey and Sussex will also join together.

Hampshire, Kent and Thames Valley won a reprieve and will stay as they are.


Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4825524.stm)

How will this affect the Forces ability to deal with crime?

[Hydro]

Slightly misleading headline there, forces aren't being "cut" per se, just merged. Yes, the number goes down, but certain Constabularies get bigger.

[marktigger]

and money is released from duplication of chains of command etc to provide more front line services. so actually a good thing

[TheBelgian]

Dont forget, they'll be turned into a "super-force", thats gotta count for something lol