Police Merger - Mike German comment
12.00.00am GMT Fri 3rd Mar 2006
Following the statement from Charles Clarke that he is to press ahead with the Welsh police force merger despite objections from all four police authorities, Mike German Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader said:
"Charles Clarke has given police authorities, forces and chief constables until 2nd July to submit objections - another empty 'consultation' process given that he has failed to listen to anything they have said so far.
"None of the four Welsh Police Authorities want to merge - the Labour Government has rushed this process through without consultation or support from those who will be affected most - the police themselves. .
"The Welsh Liberal Democrats have conducted a series of street referendums to give the people of Wales a chance to express their views. Over 80% of people in Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff and Wrexham do not believe the merger will improve policing in their area.
"North and South Wales are agreed on this. It begs the question, why does Charles Clarke continue to press an unpopular, uncosted policy on the people of Wales?
"Welsh Liberal Democrats have been fighting this because the merger will mean poorer policing and higher bills. How much higher, we do not know. Labour Ministers Peter Hain and Edwina Hart can't even agree on how much it will cost. Council tax payers across Wales have already been badly hit by rebanding and will now suffer higher policing bills on top of this."
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