HAMPSHIRE police force will remain independent. Home Secretary Charles Clarke has decided not to merge Hampshire with other south-eastern police forces in a major shake-up of constabularies in England and Wales.
The county's police chief, Paul Kernaghan, was against Hampshire merging with another force and he's delighted with Mr Clarke's decision.
"We were always confident in our ability to become a strategic force and this decision confirms that the most effective and efficient solution for the communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is for
Hampshire to remain an independent force. I am delighted the Home Office accepted the findings of our business case, which showed that any other option required significant additional investment, the absence of which would have endangered the current levels of protective service provision," said the Chief Constable.
Mr Kernaghan added: "I would like to thank all those who supported us in this campaign and assure them that we will continue to provide the best possible service to the residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight."
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