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Axed police mergers cost millions Axed police mergers cost millions
(30 minutes later)
Millions of pounds of taxpayers' money was spent preparing for police force mergers which were later abandoned, the BBC has learned.Millions of pounds of taxpayers' money was spent preparing for police force mergers which were later abandoned, the BBC has learned.
Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show 27 police forces spent £6.1m preparing for the move.Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show 27 police forces spent £6.1m preparing for the move.
Figures for the remaining 16 forces have yet to be revealed. Figures for how much was spent by the remaining 16 forces in England and Wales have yet to be revealed.
Government plans to cut the number of forces in England and Wales from 43 to 24 were abandoned after widespread opposition from the police and public. The Home Office said the work carried out in preparation for the mergers would stand forces in good stead.
The Home Office has earlier said it will reimburse forces for the additional costs they incurred preparing for mergers. Plans to cut the number of forces in England and Wales from 43 to 24 were abandoned in July after widespread opposition from police and the public.
The Home Office has earlier said it would reimburse forces for the additional costs they incurred preparing for mergers.
But some forces complain no compensation is available for the existing resources which they diverted into the project.But some forces complain no compensation is available for the existing resources which they diverted into the project.
Examples of what forces spent include £340,000 by Cheshire, almost £500,000 spent by Sussex, and £320,000 spent by Devon and Cornwall.Examples of what forces spent include £340,000 by Cheshire, almost £500,000 spent by Sussex, and £320,000 spent by Devon and Cornwall.
West Mercia, South Wales and North Wales each spent £400,000, according to the figures.West Mercia, South Wales and North Wales each spent £400,000, according to the figures.
'More collaboration''More collaboration'
Jan Berry, chairwoman of the Police Federation, which represents rank and file police officers, said some of the preparations had been useful but money had been wasted.Jan Berry, chairwoman of the Police Federation, which represents rank and file police officers, said some of the preparations had been useful but money had been wasted.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think we, and a lot of other people, feel it could have been done in a far more strategic and holistic way."She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think we, and a lot of other people, feel it could have been done in a far more strategic and holistic way."
Mrs Berry said there was a good case for merging some forces' administrative arrangements, adding: "I think the government will want to see forces working in a more collaborative way."Mrs Berry said there was a good case for merging some forces' administrative arrangements, adding: "I think the government will want to see forces working in a more collaborative way."
The Home Office spokesman said the process of preparing for mergers had caused police forces to work more closely together and build better working relationships.
He said a number of forces and police authorities had told ministers they thought they could improve their performance through closer collaboration.
"The work already done will be essential to achieving such an outcome," he added.
The mergers were proposed last year after a report said the existing force structure was unfit for purpose.The mergers were proposed last year after a report said the existing force structure was unfit for purpose.
But they were dropped by the Home Office in July.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has since said the mergers are "not off the agenda" and that greater strategic co-operation between forces is needed.Prime Minister Tony Blair has since said the mergers are "not off the agenda" and that greater strategic co-operation between forces is needed.