Mike Penning welcomed the announcement by Home Secretary, John Reid, that the timetable of police mergers will be delayed to allow further consultation.

During Monday’s questions to the Home Secretary, Dr John Reid MP announced that he will not force the issue of restructuring before the summer recess of Parliament and that there will be a further round of discussions with police forces and authorities on the issue of police force restructuring.

Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, said:
“I hope that given more time for consultation the Government will see sense and listen to the views of local people. Bigger is not always better.

“Our local Police Service should be local, with responsibility and accountability at a local level. Our local communities need a visible and local Police Service that can respond to local needs.”