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		Save our Police Force! Friday, 5th May 2006 Northamptonshire – Conservatives across Northamptonshire have today joined forces to attack the Labour Government's plans to scrap Northamptonshire Police force in favour of a regional ‘super-force’ and have launched a campaign against the proposals. Following the rejection of the merger plans by Northants Police Authority on 5th April 2006, Northamptonshire Conservatives are united in their opposition to plans for an unwanted regional police force and have pledged to go head-to-head with the Government to save the force. They have launched a petition asking concerned residents to sign up against the merger at www.savenorthantspolice.com and will be collecting names over the coming months to lobby the Home Office. They believe that regional forces would be even more distant from local communities, and the Association of Police Authorities is estimating that this merger could cost as much as £600 million across Britain - the equivalent of 22,000 full time Police Officers. Speaking today, Chris Heaton-Harris, Northamptonshire’s Conservative MEP said: “As Conservatives, we believe there is a need for more local accountability, not less. We'd like to see elected police chiefs who would have to focus on the real concerns of local people.” “As usual, the government is going for the big headline, rather than the less glamorous but more worthwhile job of taking existing structures and helping them to deliver better performance. Tony Blair has continued to ignore advice from our police officers about his plans to wreck our local police forces. That's why we're giving local people the chance to have their say with our petition.” Speaking today, Roger Helmer MEP said: “It is widely accepted that the costs of amalgamation will be huge -- money that could and should be spent on front-line crime fighting. Anyone who has been involved in this type of reorganisation will know that it takes time and attention away from the main task and focuses them instead on administration and sorting out the ensuing chaos.” Northampton South MP Brian Binley has also backed the campaign, by saying: “This will turn out to be a disastrous amalgamation from Northamptonshire’s point of view. If ever proof was needed of this government’s arrogance and unwillingness to listen to opposition to the merger from across all divides this is it. ‘They know best’ is the name of the game and our views carry no weight whatsoever.” Tim Boswell MP for Daventry has added his support. He said: “For the last forty years, I have lived at Aynho which is the most South-Westerly parish in Northamptonshire. I fail to see how any Chief constable of an East Midlands force will keep tabs at the same time on Aynho, Glossup and Skegness”. Philip Hollobone, MP for Kettering is another local MP opposed to the merger. Speaking today, he said: “I am 100% opposed to the abolition of Northamptonshire's own police force. The absurdity of the Government's merger plan is that we'll end up paying more for a police service that will have fewer officers patrolling our local area.” Wellingborough’s MP Peter Bone added: “The people of Northamptonshire want more police officers out on the beat, catching criminals and deterring crime. They do not want to see their money being wasted on an East Midlands Super Force.” Cllr Jim Harker, Leader of Northamptonshire County Council who has written to The Times newspaper in protest at the proposals and organised a public debate on the issue said: “The government’s proposals for the East Midlands and for our county of Northamptonshire are unwanted and unadmired by the vast majority of people who live here. They will risk losing local policing just when people want to see more officers on their local streets.” David Mackintosh, Chairman of Northampton North Conservatives, added: “We want to keep policing local for the people of Northamptonshire. These cuts will only make it harder to contact the police and get help in an emergency.” The Chairman of Corby Conservative Association, David Brackenbury, has also given his full support to the campaign. Speaking today, he said: “I condemn the idea of regional police mergers which are another example of the creeping tide of regionalisation, which was not held up by the clear rejection of a directly elected regional assembly in the North East. I have yet to meet anyone who is in favour of this merger and as such I absolutely welcome this initiative.” An official launch for the campaign and photo opportunity will take place on Saturday 6th May at 9.30am outside the Guildhall, to which the media are invited to attend. Northamptonshire County Council will hold a full-scale debate on the issue at the next council meeting on June 29th and contributions are welcome from all members of the public in Northamptonshire.