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| ‘This ludicrously short consultation period is irresponsible and jeopardises the excellent level of policing we currently enjoy in Suffolk’ |
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| David Ruffley MP has today expressed his deep concern with the consultation period on the restructuring of police forces. |
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| David Ruffley has signed Early Day Motion 1393 which “recognises that the potential changes in structures are the most significant for over 30 years; (and) believes that it is essential that there is proper consultation with police authorities and all interested parties and with the public.” |
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| David said: |
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| “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 and fire 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. |
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| “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. |
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| “Regionalisation could see the people of Suffolk sharing their policing with an area as different in geography and demographics as urban Hertfordshire. How could such a force remain as locally focused and accountable as Suffolk Constabulary? |
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| “I want to see local communities having a genuine connection with their police forces. Regionalised forces risk greater centralisation rather than giving power back to the communities they serve. |
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| “I hope that this Early Day Motion will compel the Government to think again about forcing through their radical plans in such a short space of time.” |
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| 27 January 2006 |
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