'I have now written to the Home Secretary to ask him if the £60 million cost of a police merger is the best use of taxpayers' money. I think the people of Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket would rather see more police on our local streets.'

David Ruffley MP has today written to the Home Secretary to ask for his response to claims by the Suffolk Police Authority that the proposed merger of police forces in the east of England could cost up to £60 million.

David said:

'The results of my own recent online survey showed that of the more than 500 people that responded 95% supported my campaign to keep Suffolk's police services based in Suffolk. In addition to this 94% would rather see Suffolk Constabulary retained in its current form. This is an overwhelming rejection of this Governments planned reforms.

'Central Government restructuring our police force has a great many implications for my constituents across Suffolk and I intend to press the Government most strongly to listen to the views of those concerned.

'I have now written to the Home Secretary to ask him if the £60 million cost of a police merger is the best use of taxpayers' money. I think the people of Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket would rather see more police on our local streets.'