Joint Statement on Force Mergers by Bedfordshire Police Federation and Unison

Following the Review of Policing by Sir Ronnie Flanagan in 2008, Bedfordshire concluded that whilst we had the capability to deal with all the Policing demands in Bedfordshire we did not have the capacity to meet that demand. Therefore once the Home Office decided not to proceed with the recommendations contained within that report, locally we had to address those shortfalls the force had identified.

In order to create the capacity to deal with our policing demand the force chose to work with Hertfordshire Constabulary through collaboration, initially through a number of policing functions contained within protective services and laterly through some of the backroom support functions. This has now progressed to some collaboration across all the forces in the Eastern region.

Whilst there has been considerable effort from both forces to make these collaborative units happen and to deliver the intended business benefits, there continues to be ongoing work to address minor issues. Some of which are caused by the fact that as two forces we have different business processes. One of the consequences of continued collaboration is that eventually it would have made no sense to remain as two separate forces; we do not believe that point has been reached yet. It is also clear that collaboration with Hertfordshire has increased our resilience to deal with our policing demand and created cashable savings for both forces.

In order to meet the likely reduction in police funding over the next few years as proposed by the previous government, further and greater savings would need to be made and therefore to protect, as much as possible the current policing levels in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire both forces would want to look at the business case for mergers again. The decisions announced in the recent emergency budget by the new government mean that the financial savings required by both forces over the next 5 years have more than doubled. We believe that it is therefore appropriate that the question of merging with Hertfordshire is considered and that the public in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire are properly consulted with to seek their views.

Both the Federation and Unison have been briefed by the Force Executive on the emerging business case that will be put to both Police Authorities in July. We are satisfied that a number of options have been considered before the force has concluded that the best option is a voluntary merger with Hertfordshire Constabulary. Regrettably any merger is likely to lead to a reduction in both Police Officer and Police Staff numbers. However without merger, the likely level of funding would lead to an even greater reduction in Police Officer and Police Staff numbers which would impact on the level of policing in the County and put at risk the welfare and safety of our officers and staff.

We therefore support the proposal that the Police Authorities of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire should enter into a period of public consultation to consider merging the two forces.

If following consultation it is concluded that the case for merger has been made and the forces choose to progress to full mergers we believe the following must be at the forefront of the planning process.

• That the merger must progress on a basis of delivering sound and sustainable policing in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and not driven solely for financial savings.
• That Neighbourhood policing must be at the centre of the policing model if the public are to have confidence in a merged force.
• Should the authorities subsequently decide that merger is the right option, there needs to be a significant retention of Police buildings and people within Bedfordshire. This is not just good for the current officers and staff in Bedfordshire, it is good for the local economy as well.