Police merger could hit taxpayers where it hurts (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Police merger could hit taxpayers where it hurts

January 25, 2006 5:17 PM

Cllr Richard Brett has voiced serious concern about the prospect of a merger of West Yorkshire Police Force with neighbouring forces. Cllr Brett, who sits on the police authority board but was today speaking in his capacity as Leeds City Council's lead member for neighbourhoods and housing, highlighted the possibility that Leeds taxpayers could end up paying 20% more than at present but with no improvement in the service.

Cllr Brett also voiced concerns that merged forces would be subject to reduced public accountability. A merged force would be likely to have less representation from elected councillors, giving local residents less of a say on how their police force would be run. If the option of a 'super-force' covering the whole region went ahead, current restrictions on the number of elected members allowed to sit on a police authority could mean that many local people would be left without any local representation on their police force whatsoever.

Cllr Brett said:

"Any merger with neighbouring forces is likely to increase the burden on Leeds taxpayers due to the much higher precept North Yorkshire Police collects from residents in the area it serves. Leeds citizens could end up paying up to 20% more for a stand still service. This is quite clearly unacceptable.

"I am also extremely worried that a merger will make the police increasingly distant from the public they serve. If a region wide police force becomes the preferred option, there is a real possibility that some people could be left with no local representation on their police authority at all.

"The government's approach to local opinion on this issue has been its default position of arrogance and bullying. Its mind-set is laid bare by Charles Clarke's effective bribe to forces that if they lay down and volunteer to merge now, they will be given a big pot of money. This is nothing but bullying, bullying, bullying and I for one intend to fight it all the way."

Notes to Editors

West Yorkshire currently has one of the lowest Police precepts of £107 for a band D property. North Yorkshire charges £180 for a band D property. When the two budgets are combined on a standstill basis, the new precept is £129, an increase of over 20%.

The views in this Press Release are those of the Liberal Democrat Council Group, and not necessarily those of Leeds City Council, its Officers or of the Liberal Democrat Party.