WEST Mercia's police and crime commissioner has revealed he is "open minded" about a possible merger with Warwickshire.

Bill Longmore has admitted it is increasingly likely the two forces will come together, but has ruled out any change before the General Election.

His stance over a controversial merger differs from Ron Ball, the commissioner in Warwickshire, who last week insisted a full merger was "not necessary or desirable".

But Mr Longmore has admitted he is more relaxed about the possibility following the development of the 'alliance' between the two.

The £75,000-a-year elected figurehead of West Mercia Police says it would be pointless to make any changes now which might have to be scrapped under a Labour Government.

Home Secretary Theresa May is known to be hugely impressed with the alliance and is pushing for more change, but the Labour Party has said nothing on the situation other than insisting it would scrap PCCs altogether.

"I've got an open mind about it," said Mr Longmore.

"I realise changes will be coming and am sure good sense will prevail in the end.

"But nothing can happen before the General Election, we need to make sure the decision is the right one, rather than make one now which will have to be altered."

Last week the Police Foundation published a review of the alliance, which praised the savings made from it so far but called for greater integration.

It also recommended that both forces should share one chief constable under an "increasingly unified policing organisation".

The forces have saved a combined £30 million by slashing around 650 jobs, and merged functions like IT and vehicle fleet into one, but now needs to save another £30 million by 2018.

Barrie Sheldon, Mr Longmore's deputy, has told your Worcester News Mrs May is now routinely holding up the alliance is an example of 'best practise' to the rest of the country.

"We know the Home Secretary is very supportive of the alliance and what has been achieved so far," he said.

No other police forces in the UK have integrated anywhere near the extent of West Mercia and Warwickshire.

As your Worcester News reported last week, Mr Longmore took part in a Q&A at Worcestershire County Council.

He initially refused to answer questions, instead opting that Mr Sheldon should address councillors instead, but after a spat with Labour politicians then got to his feet.