No costing yet for West Mercia police split

West Mercia announced on Wednesday that it was taking steps to end the alliance, which has been in effect since 2015.

Yesterday, Steve Mackey, who chairs the council’s West Mercia Police and Crime Panel, said: “The panel will now be looking to Mr Campion to find out from him why this course of action has been pursued, and to get a handle on what the cost implications of this decision might be.

“Our main consideration is to be what this means for the future of policing in West Mercia with the force going it alone.”

Mr Campion said: “West Mercia Police is a vital £211million service, on which our communities depend.

“This decision has been carefully considered over a period of time and will ensure our resources are fully focused on communities across West Mercia and the public get better value for money.

“The current alliance structure isn’t as efficient and effective as it could be for communities here in West Mercia.

“Whilst I have been clear that there will be reasonable costs associated with the full termination of the existing alliance agreement, I have also been clear that we are committed to negotiating a new, revised, mutually beneficial relationship with Warwickshire.

“The work to reshape these will ensure a greater focus and clarity for Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. and Worcestershire, enhancing and improving the delivery of these services locally.

“Any new arrangement will be negotiated over the next 12 months. Until these negotiations are complete, the full costs will not be clear.”

A spokesman for the Police Federation of England and Wales said: “ We have always said that alliances should not just be money-saving exercises, must not be detrimental to police officers and would have to be beneficial for the public.

“We would be keen to ensure that any division is not detrimental to hard-working police officers and the communities they serve.”