Public urged to have their say on proposed Dorset Police merger

The public are being urged to have their say on the future of policing in Dorset following proposals to merge Dorset Police and Devon and Cornwall Police.

The controversial plans to merge the two forces was announced in September last year.

It means the number of chief officers and police and crime commissioners could be reduced.

In a joint statement Chief Constables Shaun Sawyer, from Devon and Cornwall Police, and James Vaughan, from Dorset Police, said the proposed merger is in response to "increasing local, national and international demand on policing which requires investment and new approaches" as well as "increasing financial challenges".

The potential merger could save £3.5 million which the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner says would "achieve the best value for money for policing".

Martyn Underhill, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner

Chief Constable James Vaughan from Dorset Police says he "will not allow resources in neighbourhood policing to be further reduced".

Chief Constable James Vaughan, Dorset Police