WARWICKSHIRE'S Chief Constable, John Burbeck, is backing the setting up of bigger regional police forces.

Mr Burbeck said the move, which is due to be debated in parliament, would enhance and improve local policing.

He said he felt the need to speak out in favour of police reform following media speculation last year.

"I felt it important to reiterate why I believe that reform is right for policing in the communities of Warwickshire," said Mr Burbeck.

He said he was determined that neighbourhood policing becomes the "foundation" of policing in the county.

"At the moment we have to take local officers and detectives away from policing the communities in order to deal with major incidents and investigations," he added.

"The new regional strategic force will provide a capacity to guarantee local policing and dramatically improve our capability to tackle serious crime and major incidents.

"It will give us a unique opportunity to achieve the best of both worlds by meeting the requirements of neighbourhood policing while better protecting our communities," he said.

He also argued that the larger "more effective, efficient" force would save money in terms of back office and command roles thereby releasing more funds for improving policing.

"It is that reinvestment that will deliver improved policing in Warwickshire," said Mr Burbeck.

"In this part of the country the police force boundaries have not changed in the last 30 years. I am confident that this option will provide us with the best possible policing for the next 30 to 40 years," he added.