In the know

Police force merger plans – have your say in PCC’s survey

Surrey residents are being invited to share their views about proposals to merge police forces in a survey launched this week by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend.

The Government intends to scrap the current 43 force system in England and Wales and create larger regional forces in their place in plans announced earlier this year.

It would likely mean Surrey Police will disappear and be merged with neighbouring forces in Sussex, Thames Valley, Kent and Hampshire to form a regional ‘mega force’ in the south east.

The Commissioner said she fears the plans would result in neighbourhood policing being diluted in the county.

Although an independent review is being carried out to advise the Government on how to take the plans forward, the public are not being consulted meaning it’s unclear if there is wider support for the merger plans.

The brief survey only takes a few minutes to complete and will be open until Monday 17 August. You can fill it in HERE

PCC Lisa Townsend said: “I make no bones about it - I am concerned that a merger with other forces would result in resources being pulled away from our communities to support higher crime areas leaving Surrey with a second-rate service.

“This is my opinion however and I know it may not be shared by everyone. 

“But this is really important for the future of policing and that is why I want to ensure the public of Surrey have a voice. I will publish the survey results later this summer and share them with those who are making the decisions around force mergers.

“So please do take a few minutes to fill in the survey and let me know your thoughts.”