HERTFORDSHIRE police will merge with at least one other county force under controversial Government plans.

The proposals focus on reducing the number of police forces in England and Wales, to achieve a minimum strength of 4,000 officers in each constabulary.

It means the county's police force which only has 2,167 officers will definitely be affected by the biggest shake up of policing in more than 30 years.

Hertfordshire Police Authority was last week given until the end of the year to report back on its preferred merger partner.

But in a stark warning, Home Secretary Charles Clarke has told the authority that "no change" is not an option.

Chairman of the authority, Ian Laidlaw-Dickson, said: "Our priority now is to ensure that changes to our local police services are the right ones for the county and provide real improvements in the quality and levels of service to the people of Hertfordshire.

"The authority will also do all it can to ensure the police remain locally accountable to the people they serve. Forces and authorities have been asked to draw up proposals for possible mergers or alternative solutions."

In order to meet the 4,000 officer level, Hertfordshire Constabulary would have to regroup with other forces in the Eastern region, which includes Bedfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

But reports suggest the latter three may already be moving to form an East Anglian force, meaning Hertfordshire would have to join both Bedfordshire and Essex.

Last Friday, representatives from partner organisations, the constabulary and the police authority attended a workshop to raise any issues and concerns relating to the proposed merger.

For full story see today's printed version of the Watford Observer