THE possible merger of North Yorkshire Police with neighbouring services would not see resources sucked into areas with higher crime levels, senior officers say.

North Yorkshire Police has created a team of officers, called Advance and led by Chief Inspector Steve Reed, which will plan for and oversee any merger.

They have set out to reassure the public, police officers and community leaders that any change will not leave the county in a worse position.

North Yorkshire MP Phil Willis has claimed the force's £26m reserves would make it a popular "bedmate" for other forces.

And he has warned resources could be transferred out of the county.

"News that the North Yorkshire Police force is likely to merge with Humberside Police should send shock waves through local council taxpayers," he said.

But in a question-and-answer document, Chief Insp Reed's team said there would be safeguards in place to stop this happening.

The team also claims a larger organisation would create efficiency savings and mean opportunities to reduce the number of well-paid senior officers.

Last month, the Home Secretary announced that the 43- force police structure in England and Wales was not adequate. He said smaller forces - fewer than 4,000 officers - could merge.

North Yorkshire employs about 1,500 officers and senior officers have said making a case for not merging would be "challenging".

Many believe North Yorkshire Police will merge with one or more of its neighbouring forces in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region.