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| Widespread fall in police numbers | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The number of police officers has fallen in most forces in England and Wales, Home Office figures have shown. | The number of police officers has fallen in most forces in England and Wales, Home Office figures have shown. |
| Between March and September 2008, 26 out of 43 forces recorded a reduction in their ranks. | |
| But overall officer numbers rose 583 to 144,353 after large increases in Essex, Thames Valley, West Midlands and the Metropolitan Police, which was up 763. | |
| The figures emerged after MPs called on ministers to reconsider merging some forces and fund the moves properly. | |
| Members of the cross-party Home Affairs select committee observed wide variations in officer numbers and schemes designed to make forces more efficient. | |
| Forces are having to make cutbacks in the face of financial pressures and many chief constables fear officer numbers will have to be further reduced. | |
| The last government drive to merge forces was scrapped four years ago amid fears over costs. | |
| But the committee urged the government to reconsider. Estimates showed that joining the relatively small Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire services would save almost £15m a year, at a one-off merger cost of £20m. | |
| Its report said: "We urge the government to consider how forces and authorities can be assisted with managing the up-front costs of reorganisation. | |
| "The long-term financial benefits should make this area of investment a priority. |