Failed police merger costs taxpayer £6m

More than £6million of taxpayers' money has been spent on preparations for the Government's failed police force merger scheme, new figures have revealed.

Figures show that plans to reduce 43 forces to 24 have already cost £6.1million. West Mercia, South Wales and North Wales spent £400,000 each, Cheshire £340,000, Devon and Cornwall £320,000 and Sussex almost £500,000. The figures were obtained by the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act.

However, the final bill is likely to be much higher as only 27 forces have provided figures so far.

The mergers were proposed last year after a report said the present structure was not fit for purpose. They were halted by the Home Office in July after widespread opposition from police and the public.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has since said that they are "not off the agenda" and that greater strategic co-operation between forces is required.

The Home Office has said it will reimburse the additional costs incurred in preparation for the scheme. However, some forces have complained that no compensation is available for the existing resources they had to divert into the project.

Jan Berry, chair of the Police Federation, said £6.4million was a tiny proportion of the overall police budget, but equated to about 271 extra police officers.