GWENT Chief Constable Mike Tonge today pledges that he will listen to the public over plans to re-structure police forces in Wales.

In an exclusive letter to Argus readers, Mr Tonge says any restructuring will need to keep policing locally accountable.

Mr Tonge and the three other Welsh chief constables, along with their police authorities, have been asked to respond to a report which is suggesting the merging of Welsh forces - either into an all-Wales service or Gwent merging with another South Wales force.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke said he wants to press on with looking at the proposals in the report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. HMIC say smaller forces will struggle to meet the demands of policing terrorism, international drug smuggling and people trafficking.

But a cross-party band of politicians is fighting the move, raising fears about the local accountability of police services in any 'super-force'.

In his message to Argus readers, Mr Tonge writes: "We will take on board the views of the public and look to respond on how we in Wales can best meet the gaps the inspectorate has highlighted, whilst at the same time keep and improve on locally delivered, accountable services."