Police Federation plea for talks over fears of beat bobbies axe

Up to 200 officers and 450 civilian staff are to leave the West Mercia and Warwickshire police forces by 2016.

The job losses will be shared between the two forces, which have entered into an alliance to save a combined £31 million because of government cutbacks. Newly elected West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore wants people to give their views on the plans.

They are outlined in the draft Police and Crime Plan, which sets out policing priorities for the next four years.

West Mercia Police Federation chairman Ken Mackaill says they are estimating that 140 officers will be lost from the streets in the West Mercia force area, which includes the Wyre Forest ditrict and Hagley.

"The force currently has around 300 fewer officers than it did three years ago, so clearly the loss of this additional number is a concern," he said.

"We will be asking for talks with Mr Longmore once a decision on the level of council tax precept increase, if any, has been made, to discuss the impact on officer numbers over the next four years.

"The public repeatedly tell us they want to see police on the beat, but this is becoming increasingly harder to achieve."

Mr Longmore said: "After listening carefully to local people during my time in office and during my election campaign, I will endeavour to protect police officers and police community support officers from redundancy and will introduce a minimum level of PCSOs.

"While I do expect staffing reductions over the next three to four years, the alliance will allow these reductions to be kept to a minimum."

To get involved, people can write to Mr Longmore at OPCC West Mercia, PO Box 487, Shrewsbury, SY2 6WB or email opcc@westmercia. pnn.police.uk

The deadline for comments on the issue is January 28.