Merger plans between the Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire police forces are on the back burner, it has been revealed.

The prospect of a combined force was “rejected entirely” by all three counties, according to Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Kathryn Holloway.

The idea was turned down by “all three PCCs and all three chief constables,” she told a Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel meeting on Tuesday night.

“There needs to be extra money in any case. They’re not going to do it to see more of the money absorbed into Bedfordshire and Luton in particular.”

Referring to the local authorities of Luton, Bedford and Central Bedfordshire, she said: “We’re talking a microcosm of the three authorities here at force level.

“While I’m PCC, there will definitely be a Bedfordshire Police.

“There’s enough to do here at the moment without taking over the governance of the fire service.”

Citing Hertfordshire PCC David Lloyd’s bid to take over the county’s fire and rescue service, she said: “There are other implications from that. PCCs can attend fire authority meetings, but can’t vote.

“When I have voting rights, let’s look at that again.”