Aborted 'superforce' plan 'cost £11.5m'
Last updated at 11:37 21 August 2006
The aborted police force merger plans cost an estimated £11.5million, according to a survey published today.
Research suggests that each of the 43 forces in England and Wales spent an average of £268,668 on the plan to create regional "superforces".
The £11.5million figure does not include the Home Office's own costs, which are reported to top £1million.
Sums uncovered by the poll for the Daily Telegraph ranged from £1million spent by the Sussex force to just £20,000 shelled out by Humberside.
Reimbursed
A Home Office spokeswoman said the forces would be reimbursed for costs incurred.
On the £11.5million figure, she added: "We cannot say with confidence that this estimate is correct.
"We are now in discussion with the police forces and police authorities to consider what might be the best way to bring about improvements in protective services."
The amalgamation plans introduced by former Home Secretary Charles Clarke would have seen the 43 existing forces slashed to as few as 17.
Conservative policing spokesman Nick Herbert told the Telegraph that spending on the plans had been
an "appalling waste of money".
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