POLICE chiefs have reassured residents that force mergers will not destroy neighbourhood policing.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke wants authorities to decide which forces they want to merge to meet his vision of improving 21st century policing.

People are now being asked to express their views before North Yorkshire Police Authority meets in December.

The authority must consider two options - all four Yorkshire forces joining as one, or a merger between North and West Yorkshire.

Local MPs John Grogan and Phil Willis previously expressed concern that York and North Yorkshire may suffer by joining with a larger force.

North Yorkshire Police Authority chairman Jane Kenyon said Mr Clarke had assured the authority that neighbourhood policing would remain unaffected and would develop further.

She said: "Our communities appear sceptical about this and want to know how, in the event of a move to a larger, more strategic force, we can ensure that their current local policing resources will not be reallocated over time to those areas with higher crime levels.

"I am afraid we do not yet have the answer to that question and, until we do, I am afraid that it will be hard to convince our public that amalgamations of forces will produce better services for them, despite the clear need to make sure that we provide adequate protective services in the future."

Chief Constable Della Cannings said: "In a modern, mobile, society it is essential that policing is not impeded by artificial boundaries.

"All change brings uncertainty, and I am keen to achieve clarity for the communities as well as for my staff of the picture for future policing. I look to continue working with the Home Secretary so that key questions are answered in regard to corporate governance, funding mechanisms, shape and selection of future chief officer teams and any required changes to staff and police officer terms and conditions."

People are invited to express their views before 16 December.

North Yorkshire Police Authority will meet on December 20.

Updated: 09:36 Saturday, November 19, 2005