Plans could see police forces merge

THE prospect of merging Wales' four police forces into a single mega-force has resurfaced, as politicians scrambled to respond to reports of an overhaul of policing in the new year.

- CHRIS HAINES

Adam Price raised reports that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is considering cutting the number of police forces in Wales and England from 43 to 12 through mergers.

The former Plaid Cymru leader told Senedd members the reforms would represent the "biggest upheaval" of police forces since the 1960s.

Warning the Welsh Government was not consulted on plans to scrap police and crime commissioners, he said: "No change should happen a merger for example without full Senedd scrutiny and a Welsh democratic mandate."

Mr Price suggested an all-Wales model merging the four police forces, similar to what happened in Scotland in 2013 - could have benefits but said governance would be critical.

During topical questions, he argued a single police force would need to be accountable to the Senedd, with powers over policing devolved to Wales.