The announcement that the government are to proceed with a merger of the three police forces in the region to create a single, regional force has been attacked by a leading North East Liberal Democrat.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke MP announced today (Monday 20th March) that the mergers will go ahead across the country, reducing the number of forces from 43 to 24.
Dr Jonathan Wallace, a Lib Dem councillor in Blaydon constituency on Tyneside, opposes the decision to impose a new structure from Whitehall.
"The size and shape of the police authority and police force should be a decision of local government here in the North East," said Dr Wallace. "Instead we are having a central government model imposed on us.
"I am concerned that the new force will be more remote from people and communities. It is vital therefore that the new police authority, which will run the merged police force, is not packed with central government appointees."
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