WEST Mercia Constabulary is one of the best police forces in Britain, according to two new reports.

Excellent crime investigation and enthusiastic leadership has helped to put the force - which covers Worcestershire and Herefordshire - in the top four of forces nationally, according to an independent review and an assessment by the Home Office.

The annual performance study by the Home Office Police Standards Unit gave the force top marks in a range of fields.

In all seven areas of operation, including reducing and investigating crime, promoting safety, and leadership, West Mercia was rated either excellent or good - meaning it was above average on every indicator.

The report singled out Chief Constable Paul West for special praise.

The independent report looked at the force's performance in 26 key areas, including neighbourhood policing and community engagement, volume crime reduction, investigating major and serious crime, reassurance, leadership and strategic management.

This report graded the force's performance as excellent in three key areas, good in a further 19 and fair in the remaining four. There were no areas of poor performance.

Chief Constable Paul West said: "These combined assessments represent the most comprehensive examination ever undertaken of the relative strengths and areas for improvement of police forces in England and Wales.

"To be so highly rated is a huge tribute to the enormous commitment, enthusiasm and dedication shown by every member of staff to provide a professional service that responds to the needs of local communities.

"By any measure, we are currently one of the best-performing forces in England and Wales."

The force is likely to seize on the findings as it resists being merged into a West Midlands super-force with the region's three other constabularies.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke has made the suggestion as a way to make the police more effective at fighting crime.

But the reports show that crime is falling in all key areas in West Mercia, while detection rates are improving. The force has achieved one of the best reductions of violent crime in the country.

Mr West added: "As forces throughout England and Wales carefully consider possible future structures of policing, we are committed to maintaining these high levels of performance and our focus on local policing.

"These reports reinforce the fact that West Mercia is one of the safest places in the country in which to live and work."