RESIDENTS of Dorset have been reassured following the announcement of plans to merge the county’s police force with the Devon and Cornwall constabulary.

Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said he backs the proposals and said he is confident a merger would help to tackle funding difficulties in times of increasing demand.

He said recent consultation with Dorset residents revealed they are keen to ensure the police protect people from risk of harm, work with communities and support victims and witnesses.

He said: “I believe that combining our two forces has the potential to help us achieve all of these priorities by improving efficiency, sharing best practice, and increasing our resilience.

“As we take this work forward, I am aware that local policing will be of paramount concern to the people of Dorset and I assure you that I will be looking to understand how closer working relationship between the two forces might improve local policing and help us to make Dorset even safer.”

MPs have also stressed they are determined to ensure that any merger does not have an effect on frontline services.

Conor Burns, Bournemouth West MP, said: “There must be no question of day to day policing decisions about Bournemouth being made in Truro or St Austell.

“If I can be convinced that what is proposed will lead to improved services for my constituents then I am open-minded about the proposals.”

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood said: “This will not affect operational capability.”