THE Government is expected to announce next week that Herts, Beds and Essex constabularies will merge in 2008. All forces had until last December to submit preferred options to the Home Secretary as part of Her Majesty s Inspectorate of Constabulary plans

THE Government is expected to announce next week that Herts, Beds and Essex constabularies will merge in 2008.

All forces had until last December to submit preferred options to the Home Secretary as part of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary plans for radical changes in policing.

This week local MPs were split with the Conservative members unanimous in their opposition to the joining of Herts, Beds and Essex into a super force. Stevenage Labour MP Barbara Follett, though, supported it.

Hitchin MP Peter Lilley said: "I would have preferred to have kept a single force for Hertfordshire. I don't think anyone has demonstrated any savings by this merger."

MP for North East Herts Oliver Heald said: "I have always been in favour of a single force for the county which makes decision-making close to the communities the police serve."

Peter Conniff, chairman of Beds Police Authority said: "This was the least favoured option for us."

Ian Laidlaw-Dickson, chairman of the Hert Police Authority, said: "Every effort has been made to find the best possible solution for the people of Hertfordshire and we will still work with that aim in mind."

Stevenage Labour MP Barbara Follett commented: "People want more bobbies on the beat so I welcome the proposed new structures and the opportunities for specialisation that they bring, and look forward to an improved service.