THE Home Secretary's plans to merge West Mercia Police with others in the Midlands has been slammed by Herefordshire Council and the county's two MPs.

In a statement to Parliament on Monday, Home Secretary Charles Clarke said a merger between West Mercia, West Midlands, Stafford-shire and Warwickshire forces was the only acceptable option for the region.

But Hereford MP Paul Keetch said the Home Secretary was guilty of ignoring the concerns of the people served by West Mercia.

"The Home Secretary has obviously not listened to the concerns of West Mercia Constabulary and the local community. I feel this decision will be disastrous for local neighbourhood policing in Herefordshire," he said. "Rural communities in the county are most likely to suffer in this merger as it is likely resources and police personnel will be channelled to more demanding urban areas."

Herefordshire Council leader Roger Phillips questioned whether the merger made sense on a financial level.

"We're very disappointed with the news and do not believe a business case has been made to get rid of West Mercia - the country's top performing police force," he said

"The challenge will be for the new regional force to maintain and sustain reduction in crime levels that West Mercia has achieved in recent years. We still remain to be convinced that a regional police force will improve the standard of policing for Herefordshire people.

"Reorganisation always costs and we do not feel that it is right for council taxpayers to pay for new uniforms and the re-badging of police cars."

Leominster MP Bill Wiggin also slammed the Home Secretary's decision.

"We need local police in local communities - that's how we can best deal with crime and this is what West Mercia has done successfully for many years. Local people know what's best for them and know how to satisfy their policing needs - not bureaucrats in Whitehall," he said.

"West Mercia Police have at all times kept me informed of their consultations and both they and the public they serve do not want to merge into a larger West Midlands force.

"I believe that if West Mercia is merged, there will be a serious loss of morale within the police force and a dangerous loss of public confidence in the police."