WEST Mercia Police Authority has given an emphatic thumbs-down to the proposal to merge the force with others in the West Midlands.

Members unanimously decided to reject the Home Secretary's call for authorities and forces in the West Midlands region to volunteer to form a single regional strategic police force.

A statement issued after last week's meeting said: "The Police Authority remains committed to its recommendation that an enhanced strategic service for the West Mercia force area is the best option for local people, taking all aspects of service delivery into account."

Chairman Paul Deneen said there were still too many unanswered questions about the formation of a regional force.

The government had not adequately addressed a number of issues, including finance, council tax precepts, set-up costs and local accountability.

Mr Deneen claimed the Home Secretary was "rushing ahead with an untested model", and said the proposed regional superforce was not supported by local communities, stakeholders and partner agencies in West Mercia.

"As custodians of a top performing police force, and as chairman of the authority, I have huge concerns about the impact upon performance delivery and the disruption and distraction that any possible merger would cause.

"We need to be totally reassured that the result of any merger would be improved policing.

"Taking into account the clear investment plans that we intend to deliver on behalf of our communities, I am satisfied that the proposed West Mercia strategic police service would be big enough to deliver and small enough to care."

Mr Deneen outlined figures from the Home Office indicating that the set-up costs for the new force could total £52 million.

The government has offered up to £14m over two years towards those costs. The remainder would have to be met through council tax.

The Home Secretary has given police authorities and forces until tomorrow to decide on a voluntary merger.