CUMBRIA police would prefer to merge with Lancashire and Merseyside to form a new strategic force under Government proposals to cut the number of forces across the country, writes Luke Dicicco.

In a statement made last Friday, Cumbria police revealed its preference for the first time since Home Secretary Charles Clarke announced that the UK's current 43-force structure was outdated, and that smaller forces, such as Cumbria, could not meet the demands of 21st Century policing.

The force's executive panel which comprises chief officers, senior managers, members of Cumbria Police Authority and representatives from partner agencies submitted its preferences to Mr Clarke last week. It will receive feedback from Mr Clarke next week and will submit its final proposals on December 23.

Other options under consideration include mergers with Lancashire, and with Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside.

However, the mergers have met strong criticism from community figures across South Lakeland.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron believes urban areas suffering from high crime in the same strategic force would be given priority over Cumbria.

But Deputy Chief Constable Christine Twigg said that there was no future for Cumbria police as a single entity under the Home Office review the biggest for 30 years. Under the review, police forces must have at least 4,000 officers to help them meet seven categories of crime, which include serious and organised crime, counter terrorism, emergency planning and public order.

However, Cumbria has just 1,260 officers and senior figures in the force have admitted that it would struggle to meet the demands of major crimes.

"A strategic force will provide the capabilities and capacity to meet the changing nature of criminality including the potential for an increase in terrorist activity and serious organised crime across the whole country," said Ms Twigg.

Ms Twigg also stressed Cumbria police was a "high performing force" and that a merger would only help it to improve.

But she also vowed that the force would lobby to protect itself and its staff.

"We will ensure Cumbria Constabulary is an equal partner in any proposals we are not being taken over," she said.

"We will also ensure that all staff have an equal opportunity to apply for jobs in the new structures and have wider opportunities to develop and put in place the necessary mechanisms to support staff."