BROMSGROVE MP Julie Kirkbride has praised West Mercia Police Authority's bravery in its battle against being merged into a regional super force.

The authority has vowed not to meet this Friday's deadline to voluntarily amalgamate with other constabularies in the region. Ms Kirkbride is delighted that West Mercia has refused to lie down, and believes that a merger would mean fewer police in Bromsgrove.

"It is very brave of West Mercia to openly defy the Home Secretary and do what they think is right," she said.

"The Government simply has not explained to the public of Bromsgrove why they would get a better police service by becoming one big regional force.

"The suspicion remains that what would really happen is that we would see fewer police in Bromsgrove as constables were drafted into the inner city areas to deal with hardened criminal activity."

West Mercia Police Authority chairman Paul Deneen said there were still too many unanswered questions about the formation of a regional force.

"I have huge concerns about the impact upon performance delivery, and the disruption and distraction that any possible merger would cause," he said.

"We need to be totally reassured that the result of any merger will be improved policing."

Home Secretary Charles Clarke plans to begin the process of forcing through a merger in early March, with a four month consultation period to follow, and an order to be laid in the House of Commons and the House of Lords before the summer recess.