PLANS to merge West Mercia police into a regional "superforce" could cause major funding headaches in future, the managing director of Wychavon District Council has warned.

Jack Hegarty raised concern about council tax payers' contributions to the policing service if the move goes ahead.

In a letter setting out the council's view on the proposals, Mr Hegarty said: "We feel the Home Secretary will find himself in a conundrum about how to apply a precept across a regional force with a significant mismatch in precepts between West Mercia and West Midlands forces. Will he avoid the capping rules?"

Cllr Paul Middleborough, member with responsibility for community partnership, said: "I know this letter will be an important contribution to the decisions on restructuring.

"I'm pleased we have had our say objecting to these plans to stop us getting a second-class policing service for our residents.

"The West Mercia force is, by the Home Office's own figures, a top performing one and the creation of a regional force is not only unnecessary but an expensive exercise which won't help the proper policing of our market towns and rural areas."

Mr Hegarty's latter highlighted the lack of evidence of efficiency gains if the changes were made as well as fears of a democratic deficit which would see a lack of community support.

The Home Office is to consider two possible policing scenarios - a new, enhanced West Mercia force or the favoured option which will see West Mercia, Warwickshire and other regional forces absorbed into a regional "superforce" based on the Birmingham-based West Midlands force.

Supporters of the superforce point to more focused policing targeting criminal gangs, many of which are city-based but who commit crime in rural areas.