JIM Paice, MP for South-East Cambridgeshire, has warned that bitterly disputed plans to merge the region s police forces could result in a cull of more than 250 of our county s officers. A report by the Association of Chief Police Officers has said that p

JIM Paice, MP for South-East Cambridgeshire, has warned that bitterly disputed plans to merge the region's police forces could result in a cull of more than 250 of our county's officers.

A report by the Association of Chief Police Officers has said that proposals to merge forces across the country will cost £539 million, but Mr Paice has said that since the Home Office budget has been frozen, Cambridgeshire Constabulary may have to cut their workforces to balance the books.

"The Government is driving through the costly merger of local police forces with little debate or scrutiny and against the wishes of local people."

He said a cut of 25,000 officers would mean a reduction of 251 in Cambridgeshire.

"This is simply unacceptable," he said.

"If it comes down to a choice between keeping 250 police officers or an amalgamated police force, I know which I wild rather.