A POSSIBLE merger of police forces under the control of a 'Metro Mayor' would be a disaster for Craven, says the area's police and crime commissioner (PCC).

A report on the future of policing across the country in a time of national cutbacks has suggested increased working with other agencies.

At the same time, a series of meetings with council leaders has taken place discussing devolution options, such as the possible merger of four forces, including all or parts of North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Humberside and South Yorkshire, says North Yorkshire and York's PCC, Julia Mulligan.

And she believes that could lead to North Yorkshire Police coming under the control of a single Metro Mayor for 'Greater Yorkshire'.

Mrs Mulligan said she welcomed a debate on the future of policing, but not such a large-scale merger.

"If these plans go ahead, there is little doubt North Yorkshire's communities would suffer as a result," she added.

She said although the merger talks are very much in the early stages, she believes such a merger represented a greater threat to policing than national restructuring or funding cuts.

Mrs Mulligan added: "Regardless of whether or not the final solution results in a full-scale merger, we would inevitably be pitched alongside other areas in South and West Yorkshire with far greater demand and challenges than here in North Yorkshire, one of the safest counties in England."

Mrs Mulligan said she feared resources could be centred on places distant from Craven.

She added: "The police decide where to send resources based on 'threat, risk and harm', meaning there is every likelihood that we would see cash-strapped forces, such as West Yorkshire, suck up our resources.

"This is particularly galling as in North Yorkshire we pay much more for our local police than they do in the rest of the region, meaning our residents could end up subsidising crime in distant parts of the area."

Mrs Mulligan, who is also chairman of the National Rural Crime Network, said: "I am particularly concerned about our rural communities, where police officers already have to cover large geographical areas.”

She has written to all the area's MPs, including Skipton's Julian Smith, and to council leaders and chief executives pointing out her concerns and the implications for North Yorkshire Police.

"The worst case scenario is this could be the first step in a 'back door merger' of police forces, which would not in any way benefit the people of North Yorkshire, especially as we have well developed plans to cope with future financial challenges," she said.

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Craven Herald, 38 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JU. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.