Police lose out on cost of failed mergers

Oct 31 2006

THE West Midlands's police force has lost out on more than £17,000 in a deal to cover the costs of the Government's stalled mergers.

The force had applied for £117,591 in reimbursement from the Home Office for work it had carried out but will only receive £100,000 back.

Policing minister Tony McNulty said that in all but four cases he would cap claims at £100,000 per force.

Surrey is the biggest loser, which had requested £649,311, followed by Sussex which was also capped at £100,000 after spending £519,000.

Sacked former home secretary Charles Clarke planned to merge the existing 43 forces to as few as 17, but his successor, John Reid, scrapped the plans soon after taking over in May.

In all, forces will be £2.5 million out-of-pocket after being reimbursed £4 million for total claims of £6.5 million.

Mr McNulty said the payments were offered to "provide police authorities with assistance towards the additional costs incurred through the preparatory work they had carried out".

Exceptions to the £100,000 cap were made for Lancashire and Cumbria police authorities because they had been selected to become the first merged force and had done work for the Home Office, said the minister.

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