POLICE bosses have backed creating a "White Rose" force for the entire Yorkshire region as the way to tackle 21st century crime.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke had asked police authorities across the country to decide by Friday which forces they would like to merge with to enhance modern-day policing.

North Yorkshire Police Authority has now backed the option of merging all four forces in Yorkshire and Humberside to form one organisation, rather than the alternative of uniting North and West Yorkshire.

Chief Constable Della Cannings told the authority's meeting at New Earswick Folk Hall yesterday: "I believe anything less than a regional police force would be a cop out.

"It must be of that size, status and ability to secure the resources to be able to operate to meet the challenges. That does not detract from neighbourhood policing."

But members were not prepared to back any amalgamation without Government assurances on key issues:

That restructuring costs would not hit council taxpayers' pockets

That clear, robust and accountable governance arrangements would be put in place to enable local people to influence future neighbourhood policing

That a strategic police authority should have at least 23 members to be representative.

The authority also criticised "the restrictive parameters", short timeframe and limitations they faced while considering the restructure and potential costs.

Members are now calling for more clarity about funding, accountability and future governance, recognising the public concern about how a "strategic force" would impact on local policing.

However, they indicated support for "a voluntary amalgamation" of four forces, providing they were satisfied with Government assurances.

They were keen to lead change rather than have it imposed on them.

Chief Superintendent David Short said a strategic force would provide a wider pool of expertise to draw from, while allowing neighbourhood policing to continue.

"The public would not see any change to their service," he said.

In past major incidents, support was drawn from front line staff, he explained.

"The Hobson case was a prime example. North Yorkshire Police can deal with that. We have that expertise. Where we would become weak is if that had been a more protracted inquiry."

York councillor Irene Waudby questioned the city's role in a Yorkshire force, and voiced concerns about the short consultation.

County Coun Bill Hoult said: "We have been forced into a straitjacket in considering two options without having the time or opportunity to study the implications."

County Coun Carl Les said the authority had completed "the best possible consultation" within the 12-week timescale.

Clarke reassures Bayley over funding

POLICE resources will not be sucked from rural areas into big cities, the Home Secretary Charles Clarke has reassured York's MP.

In a House of Commons debate on police restructuring, Hugh Bayley asked - as a member representing a "predominantly rural police force" - whether York and North Yorkshire would suffer if merged with another force as cash was pumped into the cities.

But Mr Clarke said he was happy to give Mr Bayley the assurances he was seeking.

"First, the Government's position, which was set out in the manifesto on which we fought the last election, aims to establish neighbourhood policing at the local level," Mr Clarke said.

"Secondly, it establishes that the basic command unit - for example, the City of York - will take policing decisions in the locality, working with other agencies in the city.

"Thirdly, relatively small forces such as North Yorkshire are vulnerable by definition in the case of major incidents such as murder or a significant attack, which take resources away from neighbourhood policing. I can therefore give my Hon Friend the assurance that he is seeking."

Ryedale MP John Greenway also joined the debate, arguing the force's record on handling murder investigations - such as the Mark Hobson inquiry - meant "the people of North Yorkshire have more confidence in the performance of the police locally than in the views of Her Majesty's chief inspector".

Updated: 09:34 Wednesday, December 21, 2005