STEPS to merge police forces threaten to rob York residents of any control, influence or accountability, claim city bosses.

The "big three" at City of York Council - the chief executive, leader and opposition leader - have joined forces to call for more time for communities and elected representatives to consider the shake-up.

Citing concerns about "governance, accountability, standards and resources", they are urging North Yorkshire Police Authority "to object to the pace and style of this change, which appears to be rushed".

The Home Secretary has asked forces and police authorities to present options for a major restructure to help police forces strengthen their fight against 21st century crime.

City of York Council has been asked to comment on North Yorkshire Police Authority's shortlist of two, which are:

Option one - a full regional force incorporating the current police forces of North, South, West Yorkshire and Humberside

Option two - merging with West Yorkshire Police

The authority has to make its final case to the Government by December 23.

York council's executive is meeting on Tuesday, to consider whether either of the two options is preferable, or whether both are unacceptable.

Option one would create a regional force of 12,861 officers and 7,882 support staff, responsible for an area of 14,836 square kilometres.

Option two would create a force of 7,235 officers and 4,483 support staff, policing 9,770 square kilometres.

Chief executive David Atkinson, council leader Coun Steve Galloway and opposition leader Coun Dave Merrett have prepared a response for councillors to consider.

They argue that more careful consideration is needed with more involvement from communities and elected representatives for such "magnitude of change".

The proposals represent "a potential loss of control, influence and accountability by York residents", they write.

"Our ability to influence local policing arrangements and scrutinise their performance would be undermined."

Two elected City of York members currently sit on the police authority - this would drop to one with option two or to zero with a region-wide force.

The letter questions how York's 180,000 residents' views would be represented, and how the changes would impact on neighbourhood policing. It states that North Yorkshire's "comparatively-high policing standards" could drop as a result of merging.

The letter also highlights a risk of York and North Yorkshire being regarded as relatively wealthy, low crime areas and losing out to large urban areas - even though "our residents pay the highest council tax precept levels for their police services".

The council also wants assurances that any cash reserves held by North Yorkshire Police will be ring-fenced for the region.

Their views will feature in the authority's response to Government.

Updated: 09:53 Thursday, December 01, 2005