PLANS to merge two Gwent police divisions were vehemently rej-ected by a local authority.

Blaenau Gwent council plans to oppose the proposed merger between Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly police divisions - amid fears that policing standards could fall within the borough.

Council leader John Hopkins said the move could cause detection rates to fall in Blaenau Gwent and that the authority worked well with police under the current arrangements.

He fears the plans to merge the divisions and install an administrative headquarters at Blackwood could lead to standards rising in Caerphilly at the expense of Blaenau Gwent - which has the highest detection rate at present.

He said: "It should be borne in mind that the police are generally under-resourced and undermanned.

"At present Blaenau Gwent fares reasonably well in respect of services but the amalgamation of these divisions could have a detrimental effect on services currently being provided."

The council agreed to oppose the merger after a presentation had been made to the executive committee as part of Gwent police authority's consultation with the public.

The decision to look into a merger between Caerphilly (C Division) and the much smaller Blae-nau Gwent (E Div-ision) was made because of suggestions the latter would be more effective.

It would cost £96,000 to bring staffing and building work in E Division up to par, but £216,000 could be saved if it is merged with Caerphilly with a headquarters in Blackwood.

Some of the savings would be used towards three extra police officers and an enhanced family support unit

Tredegar councillor Brian Thomas, who is also chairman of the Blaenau Gwent police liaison committee, disagrees and thinks the merger will benefit the public of Blaenau Gwent.

He said: "Although we do have a higher detection rate In Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly have more police than we do and this means we could gain more officers in the borough and we are desperate for that.

"Without doubt the merger will help Blaenau Gwent because there a real shortage of manpower and we need more of a police presence up here."

Councillor Thomas believed the announcement over the merger could be made by the Gwent police authority within a month.

It is understood the proposals will be further discussed at the next Gwent police authority meeting in April and the final decision will be taken by Gwent Chief constable Keith Turner.

The new chief superintendent of Caerphilly division, Ian Johnston has maintained that policing will actually improve and the number officers increase.