‘Super-force’ plans a real threat to local policing, English mayors say

Regional leaders criticise Met chief’s call for merging of 43 forces into eight or 10, saying it runs counter to devolution drive

Plans to slash the number of police forces in England and Wales represent a “real threat” to local policing and seriously undermine Andy Burnham’s devolution agenda, leading mayors have said.

Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan police commissioner and Britain’s top officer, called on Friday for the 43 forces of England and Wales to be cut to “eight to 10” super forces.

The changes were backed by the chief constables of other forces, including Greater Manchester police, but there is disagreement within senior policing about how radical the reduction should be.