Any plans to merge police forces would be a ‘disaster’ for Surrey residents, says Police and Crime Commissioner

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend says any plans to merge Surrey Police with neighbouring forces would be a ‘complete disaster’ for the county’s residents.

The Government’s anticipated White Paper on police reform, due to be published next week, is reported today to include proposals to significantly reduce the current number of forces across England and Wales.

It could lead to the creation of ‘mega forces’, with Surrey potentially merging with other neighbouring forces in the south east.

Lisa Townsend said: “I believe this would be a complete disaster for Surrey residents. We are the safest county in the south east, and have much lower crime rates than our neighbours.

“My fear is that resources would be pulled away from our communities to support higher crime areas, leaving Surrey with a second-rate service.

“Our residents already pay a high price for their policing through their council tax contributions and have told me loud and clear how much they value the local policing presence in their neighbourhoods."

While police reform is “absolutely necessary”, local policing must be left to “local police forces to deliver”, the Commissioner said.

“Our residents deserve better than this," she added.

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