DROITWICH Spa's MP has hit out at proposals for a police force merger claiming the plans would be a disaster for the region.

The idea, which is part of a Home Office shake up, could see the creation of a regional West Midlands police force combining West Mercia, the current West Midlands and the Warwickshire and Staffordshire forces.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff said: "In my thirteen years as an MP I have often got angry about government policies, but I can honestly say that I have never been angrier than I am about these proposals, which threaten huge damage to our country.

"Previous mergers of police forces, or changes of boundaries, have been considered carefully and thoughtfully over many months. But this time Charles Clarke is behaving like a tin-pot dictator and laying down rules that bear no relation to local needs."

Mr Luff believes that the potential change is unnecessary and is totally unacceptable.

"A regional West Midlands police force would be a disaster for rural Worcestershire. Our current shortage of officers would become even more desperate as every public order problem in Birmingham and the Black Country would suck up our officers," he said.

The plans could also see a merger between Staffordshire and West Mercia forces if officials prefer the move compared to a combined regional West Midlands force.

"A merger with Staffordshire is the least worst option - but it would also create a huge geographical area stretching from Ross-on-Wye to Newcastle-under-Lyme, with no policing benefits whatsoever.

"It is not a choice we should have to make in a democracy," said Mr Luff.

Members of Worcestershire County Council met to discuss the issue last Thursday, which saw West Mercia's Chief Constable, Paul West, attend to answer questions about the issue.

A motion was tabled at the meeting calling for the council to support an independent West Mercia force. It was signed by councillors from the region including Peter Pinfield (Lab-Droit West) and Edgar Harwood (Lab-Droit East).