TO MERGE or not to merge... that is the question facing senior police chiefs in Devon and Cornwall and their neighbours in Dorset.

They think its a good idea to join forces, but a second opinion is being sought from the public in a survey spanning the three counties.

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) Alison Hernandez and her Dorset counterpart Martyn Underhill (Dorset) have launched vox pops about the link-up.

Ms Hernandez maintains that public backing for the enterprise is crucial for her to support the merger.

But if the union did become a reality, residents in Devon and Cornwall might find themselves paying more for the privilege as the precept levied on households as part of their council tax to pay for policing is currently £18 lower than in Dorset.

In a shared statement, Devon and Cornwall chief constables Shaun Sawyer and his opposite number across the border, James Vaughan, said: ‘We believe the proposed merger is the right thing to do, not only for our communities but also in respect of the wider South West landscape and our workforce who are actively managing those increasing demands on a daily basis.’

‘It is set in the context of an ever-increasing local, national and international demand on policing which requires investment and new approaches. This, in addition to the increasing financial challenges which the PCCs are actively seeking to address, is amongst some of the arguments in favour of a merger.’

They insist: ‘By working closer together, cutting duplication and making the most of our combined resources, a merger would help develop local and neighbourhood policing, protect our communities and improve the service we deliver to the public.

‘A merged force would provide a single vision that would continue to deliver future savings and build capabilities through merging which even a developed alliance could not achieve.

‘We would increase the amount of savings we can make, allowing us to be more innovative and transform the way we deliver our services.’

Mr Underhill was optimistic about the prospects for the venture.

‘I can see the potential benefits, but I absolutely recognise that there are many decisions yet to be made, and many views yet to be sought.

‘That’s why I would encourage people to come and meet us, find out more about the proposal and have their say by completing the survey.’

His counterpart said: ‘While there are clearly advantages to such a merger the proposals would have widespread implications for policing and the way it is funded.

‘That’s why my team is embarking on its biggest-ever public engagement exercise.

‘I would urge everyone in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to appraise themselves of the facts and to take a few minutes to have their say in this important issue by answering the questions in our survey.

‘I think it is vitally important that any merger has a clear public mandate.

She stressed that no decision had yet been made about the marriage.

The results of the survey will form part of a business case that will be submitted to the Home Office in the autumn, and any full business case will need to be submitted by October 12 for consideration and order must be paid by Parliament by November 7, 2019, in order for it to be completed in time for the 2020 elections.

Go to www.futurepolicing.co.uk for more information about the proposed merger and to complete the survey, which runs until Monday August 27.