Save Hampshire Police Force say Lib Dems

4.23.51pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Sep 2005

Liberal Democrats want Hampshire police to be run from Hampshire

Liberal Democrats in Hampshire have slammed Government proposals to merge the County's police force with neighbouring counties under a huge regional authority.

Hampshire MP and Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary Home Secretary Mark Oaten said: "The public values local police forces, and loyalty to the local force is important for many officers."

"Instead of more regional structures we should give local forces greater power to set their own priorities with the community. For more complex crimes, a formal national system should be in place to enable forces to call upon specialist advice and additional support."

Lib Dem spokesperson on the Hampshire Police Authority, Cllr. Adrian Collett also says Hampshire needs to keep its own police force:

"The Liberal Democrats will be campaigning to keep the Hampshire police force as a separate entity. We firmly believe that local people want to know their local police."