Plans for single police force in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset rejected by councillors

Councillors rejected the proposal for a merger at a meeting in Plymouth by 12 votes to 4. Credit: ITV West Country

Councillors have overwhelmingly voted against a merger between Devon and Cornwall Police with their neighbouring force in Dorset.

At a meeting in Plymouth the proposal to create the country's fifth largest constabulary was rejected by councillors, 12 votes to 4.

Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez, rejects the plans for a single police force, which are now unable to move any further.

Ms Hernandez says, "I will not be submitting plans to the Home Office, they wont be going any further. We'll be going back to business as usual."

Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner opposed the merger, which needed approval from both forces. Credit: ITV West Country

Any decision would need approval from the chief constables of both forces and both Police and Crime Commissioners.

Dorset's Police Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, released a statement following the verdict:

Supporters of the merger argue that it would save money, allowing a single force to increase the number of officers working across the three counties.