Threat to Wiltshire Police Force re-emerges

9.17.00am GMT Thu 11th Feb 2010

A proposal from the government to amalgamate the region's police forces was seen off by the force of public opinion a few years ago. But now they're trying again.

The government's reasoning is that they're interested mostly in big things like terrorism and organised crime. The counter-argument is that for most people most of the time it's the relatively small events - burglaries, car crime, anti-social activity - which affect their lives, and are best solved by local police officers and PCSOs who know their patch.

The best answer is for the police authorities to co-operate on major operations and incidents, but to retain their independence and ability to deal with ordinary low-level criminality.

Wiltshire has gone so far as to unite with other authorities in opposition to the plans.

The government also thinks fusing the forces would save money. But it wouldn't.