Libby Bateman launches petition against plans to merge Cumbria Police with other police forces

Today, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of Cumbria, Libby Bateman, has started a public petition, calling on the Government to drop controversial plans to merge Cumbria’s police force.

It was recently announced that the Home Secretary is considering merging England’s 43 police constabularies into as few as 12 or 15 larger regional forces.

The plans raise fears that we could lose police resources from our county to tackle crime in places like Preston and Lancaster.

Liberal Democrats on Cumberland Council recently put forward a motion opposing any merger, but this was voted down by Labour councillors.

Libby said: “We are very lucky in Cumbria to have an excellent local police force, full of hard-working and dedicated officers who know their communities inside out.

“But that is all being put at risk by plans from this Labour Government which would no doubt see resources taken from Cumbria and put into urban areas outside of the county.

“At a time when rural crime isn’t given the attention it deserves from those in Whitehall, this would be an even further backward step.

“If you agree that Cumbria Police shouldn’t be merged with Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Durham or any other police force, then please sign our petition today.”

Libby’s petition can be signed at www.libbyforcumbria.uk/police