SUGGESTIONS that Gloucestershire Police may be merged with neighbouring forces has been slated by councillors.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke told the Association of Chief Police Officers' conference recently that the current 43-force system is outdated and that some aspects are "not fit for purpose".

The comments prompted an angry response from county councillors, including Cirencester-based Liberal Democrat Deryck Nash and the council's Moreton-in-Marsh-based Tory leader Barry Dare.

Both councillors believe policing should remain local and are against any moves towards a merger.

Cllr Nash, who is deputy leader of the county's Lib Dems said: "We believe there should be local accountability and local decision-making in the emergency services.

"For example, it was our election manifesto pledge to double the number of police community support officers in the county.

"Policies like this could not be implemented if Government plans for a merger go ahead. Local people will no longer have control over their local services."

Mr Clarke admitted to the conference that he didn't have a 'blueprint for change' but said the system of 43 forces should not be continued.

He said an initial assessment of the way the country is policed shows that the system isn't working but he also told senior officers that, although the service was bad in some areas, it was good in others and that he wanted to work with them to improve it.

Cllr Dare said: "All we have at this stage are a series of rumours. But we would be heavily resistant to proposals of that kind. We don't think they're in the best interests of the people of Gloucestershire."

He added that if merger proposals were implemented, Gloucestershire's current good performance could be diluted by the poorer achievements of neighbouring forces.

Gloucestershire police declined to comment on the matter.

* The police row comes as the Fire Brigades' Union and councillors fight proposals to set up a regional South West fire control centre.

They believe that taking local control away from Gloucestershire could reduce efficiency and even put lives at risk.

A 'super' health authority for Gloucestershire, Avon and Wiltshire has already been introduced and plans to combine the three county's ambulance services are also under consideration.