SOUTHAMPTON MP John Denham has spoken out in favour of plans to merge police forces, but added that Hampshire was big enough to be left alone.
The former Home Office minister made the comments during a debate on the proposed shake-up of policing that would see larger and fewer forces. Mr Denham said that he agreed with the principal that bigger forces would be better equipped to deal with modern-day policing challenges.
He made reference to the recent Operation Phoenix in Southamp-ton, which saw 600 officers involved as part of a crackdown on drug-dealing and related crime in the city.
He said that Hampshire was well equipped to organise an operation on that scale but that for other smaller forces it would mean about 60 per cent of their workforce being involved.
The Home Office is currently considering responses from each force, which were submitted before Christmas, to the plans to merge them with neighbouring constabularies. Hampshire has made it clear that it wants to remain as a stand-alone force and not merge with any other.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article