RESIDENTS are being urged to join the battle to save Essex Police from a merger with other counties.
Essex Police Authority chairman Robert Chambers said the move could push up the police portion of council tax and make it harder to respond to local needs.
A public consultation exercise is being launched tomorrow, backed by the Echo, on options which include merger with Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
The Government claims merged forces would be able to cope better with major crimes and terrorist threats.
Mr Chambers wants residents to comment on the proposals via the website www.essex.police.uk
The Echo is backing the public consultation initiative with a telephone voteline in tomorrow's paper.
Published Wednesday, November 23, 2005
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