MERGING Hampshire Police with a neighbouring force would cost at least £17m, it has been revealed. Figures calculated by police chiefs show that forming a strategic force with Dorset police would cost £17m while the Thames Valley would be £27.1m. On top of these costs would be additional investment in protective services across both force areas. The figures, say police, add up to an unviable option for Hampshire, leaving it with only one option: remaining independent. Home Secretary Charles Clarke asked all police authorities and forces to look at the creation of strategic forces to provide better protective services like cross border crime and counter terrorism. In a detailed report to the Home Office, Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire Police Authority, the body in charge of budgeting, have argued that staffing levels meet and exceed the 6,000 threshold for strategic forces set by the government and staying independent would be best for residents and partner agencies. The report also said that efficiency savings would fund the £3.2m needed to improve protective services to enable it to remain a stand alone force. Mike Attenborough-Cox, chairman of Hampshire Police Authority, said: "No-one has demonstrated that any significant benefits would be achieved for Hampshire by merging our constabulary with any other forces, yet the costs of doing so would be enormous. Hampshire Constabulary can build on its already good quality protective services with additional investment and a clear plan. It is better if that investment is made than to face the costs and consequences of a merger. "Our submission is based on intensive and objective examination of a number of options and Hampshire standing alone has emerged as the only option. I sincerely hope that the Home Secretary will take into account not only the results of our analysis but also the views of the residents of Hampshire, our staff and partners. "Whatever the Home Office decides Hampshire Police Authority will not agree to any merger voluntarily, no matter what financial incentives are offered. We are here to serve and represent the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and they have said loudly and clearly that they want Hampshire Constabulary to stay." Since September a strategic forces project team has been assessing the benefits and risks of three options for the future of policing in Hampshire: Hampshire as a stand alone strategic force, merging with Dorset and Wiltshire, and merging with Thames Valley. The team has considered how protective services can be best delivered in the 21st century. They have also consulted staff, residents, MPs, partner agencies and local authorities and have received overwhelming support for Hampshire to remain independent. Chief constable Paul Kernaghan said: "Our research confirms that the most effective and efficient solution for the communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is for Hampshire Constabulary to remain as an independent strategic force. "Any other option requires significant additional investment and could endanger current levels of protective service provision locally, given the guidance that only marginal and conditional additional funding is available." He added: "Professionally, I am disappointed that we appear to be focussed solely on territorial structures and the map image of policing. I would have thought the time was ripe for consideration as to how we brigade and organise protective services nationally. "No arguments have been advanced as to why 12 forces will automatically co-ordinate better than 43 forces. Restructuring must deliver more effective protective services and not merely change the map image of policing whilst reinforcing existing ambiguities and historical anachronisms."
