Alliance of two police forces could see 600 jobs lost

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MORE than 600 jobs are set to be lost and the future of police stations are being reviewed as part of a major reorganisation of policing across West Mercia and Warwickshire.

The two forces have formed a strategic alliance and approved a plan which will save more than £30million over the next four years by pooling resources such as IT, HR and support services.

As part of the cost cutting the total workforce of the two forces combined will fall from 5,400 to 4,750 by April 2016. The majority of posts expected to be lost will be in supporting functions and there will be fewer managers and police supervisors although 90 police officers will also go.

The number of police vehicles will also be cut to save £1million while police buildings, front-counter services and stations are being reviewed which is likely to result in some closures or cuts to opening hours or providing the service in another building run by a partner organisation such as the council.

The structure of both forces is also being reorganised into seven geographic areas - Herefordshire, North Warwickshire, North Worcestershire, Shropshire, South Warwickshire, South Worcestershire, Telford & Wrekin. Each will be led by a superintendent. Local Policing Teams will be reorganised to concentrate on harm reduction in their communities, patrolling, problem solving, offender management and local engagement.

Both forces will continue to have their own chief and deputy chief constables and retain its own identity but there will be a single management team below that of four assistant chief constables and directors.

West Mercia Chief Constable David Shaw said without the arrangement about 280 further jobs would go.

"The alliance design provides innovative, effective and efficient ways of policing to ensure protection of the public is maximised," he said.

Andy Parker, Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police called the plan would cause the least harm to their ability to deliver protection and maintain public confidence.

"Our commitment as public servants, is to deliver the maximum protection possible with the resources entrusted to us. Most importantly this means delivering an effective emergency response where life is at risk or crime is in progress. It also means preventing harm wherever possible before it occurs."

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