THE head of West Mercia Constabulary has responded cautiously to a Government report that could see the force merged with its West Midland counterparts.

It could face the axe after Home Secretary Charles Clarke announced that some of the 43 police forces in England and Wales could be cut.

West Mercia's Chief Constable Paul West said that all parties involved share the view that any changes must be "police service owned and led" with the outcome of improving the service.

He said: "All staff in West Mercia Constabulary share my commitment to deliver the very best policing service possible, both at a local level in our communities and in the developing challenges that society is facing".