MORE than half a million people throughout the Vale and West Mercia are to receive leaflets from police over the next few weeks urging them to contact their MPs before the end of the month.

The leafleting is the latest step in the campaign to prevent West Mercia Police being absorbed into a regional "superforce" alongside West Midlands, Staffordshire and Warwickshire.

The leaflets, which will be specific to the areas where the residents live, are described by the police authority as "a bid to forge even closer links with our communities".

They will include details of contact points and information about the local police force.

Paul Deneen, chairman of the West Mercia Police Authority, said: "We believe that working with our communities is at the heart of effective policing.

"We have asked the public how they would like us to communicate with them and the main request is for information specific to their local area.

Mr Deneen added: "We hope that these leaflets will enlighten our communities about the good work that is being done across West Mercia in partnership with other local agencies, and demonstrates our commitment to providing an effective and efficient policing service throughout our entire force area.

"We are also using their opportunity to urge local people to write to their MP by the end of this month if they are concerned about the current Home Office proposal to enforce a merger of West Mercia Constabulary with West Midlands, Staffordshire and Warwickshire Police.

"We carried out extensive consultation during late 2005 and received overwhelming support for our preferred option of a West Mercia Strategic Police Service.

"As the period for Home Office consultation on the proposal is drawing to an end, it is now more important than ever that MPs and the Home Office are made fully aware through their mailboxes of the strength of feeling among our communities before a final decision is made by the new Home Secretary.

"We all still have time to influence the final decision."