Proposal to merge forces - it's official

Mr Clarke gave formal notice of the intention to merge the Cleveland, Durham and Northumbria forces, believing this to be in the best interests of 21st Century policing.

He said that police authorities, local authorities and chief constables now had until July 2 to submit any objections to the proposed merger, adding that he would "carefully consider any objections received".

But he was immediately challenged over his statement, given to the House of Commons, amid claims that the four-month consultation period would effectively be a sham.

Mr Clarke is expected to bring an order before Parliament by the summer break with a view to pushing through a desired three-way merger, creating a force which could be up and running by April next year.

Councillor Dave McLuckie, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, said Mr Clarke was simply going to try to impose his will.

He said consultation would prove whether the Government was "really serious about listening to the views of local people".

Last month, the authority rejected an invitation to voluntarily merge, triggering the consultation period, which is likely to end with a vote by MPs in the Commons.

Coun McLuckie said: "Right across the country authorities are making clear that they do not believe that a headlong rush to merger is the best way of delivering efficient and effective policing, nor is it wanted by the people they represent.

"The test now for Charles Clarke is whether or not his consultation process really does have any meaning because, if it does, I am certain that the outcome will be an overwhelming rejection of the single force proposal, not simply from interests such as local councils and MPs, but from those who should matter most - the citizens of the North-East."

Cleveland police authority has previously threatened a judicial review of the plans, but Coun McLuckie yesterday would only confirm that it was taking legal advice on the way the process had been conducted.

The authority favours the North-East being split into two smaller "city region" forces, one combining Cleveland with South Durham.

Councillor Mick Henry, Northumbria Police Authority chairman, said: "It would have been far better if Cleveland had agreed with Durham and ourselves for a voluntary merger so we could have negotiated it on our terms.

"However, compulsory merger plans were inevitable when we failed to agree.

"We now need to ensure that important topics - such as the way the new force is funded and how local people can have their say in its running - are top of the agenda during the consultation period."

County Councillor Anne Wright, chairman of Durham Police Authority, said: "We remain convinced that the professional policing argument for a three- way merger is overwhelming and, while there are still a range of key issues to be resolved, the Home Secretary's latest statement is to be welcomed.