'Clarke still not listening to us'

Charles Clarke's latest bid to create superforces focused on the East of England yesterday, where the government wants 13 local forces cut down to just four.

This announcement comes despite strong opposition to existing merger plans in Wales and the West Midlands.

The Argus is leading a campaign of local groups and individuals who oppose plans to merge Gwent Police with Wales' other three forces.

Now those fighting to save Gwent Police say planning more mergers underlines the government's refusal to listen to local people's views so far.

Paul Flynn, MP for Newport West, said: "The sensible course of action when doing something controversial and untried, particularly where opposition is so strong, is to run a pilot scheme."

He is urging Charles Clarke to allow the Midlands forces in favour of merging to take on that role, delaying further mergers until the cost and impact can be independently assessed.

He said: "The greater the scale of this project the greater the scope for disaster." Mike German AM said: "The problem with the home secretary is he doesn't listen to anyone - not even his own party members in Wales, who have called for a year's delay in the merger."

Monmouth Tory MP and AM David Davies said: "Once again Charles Clarke is showing a disdain for the views of ordinary people."

Fears of a fall in policing standards are already being voiced in East Anglia, where the government wants to amalgamate Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk police forces.

Far from supporting a merger, last year Peterborough council launched a petition demanding the creation of its own police force.

Mr Clarke met representatives from the affected authorities yesterday. They were given a deadline of April 7 to respond. Mr Clarke will then make a decision.

The Association of Police Authorities, which has criticised the way the plans are being introduced, now estimates mergers across England and Wales will cost more than £1 billion.