MET AND BTP MERGER PROPOSALS 'A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION'

5.29.45pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 19th Oct 2005

Commenting on the proposal announced today by Sir Ian Blair at the Commission for London Governance meeting at City Hall that there are discussions taking place on merging the Met and London British Transport Police, Liberal Democrat London Assembly policing spokesman, Graham Tope, said:

"The way the Met and the British Transport Police are divided up in the capital is a relic of the way our city could be policed in a bygone era.

"Times and threats have changed and with that must come the realisation that both forces should work together under one roof and one commander. A merger would ensure that information is shared even quicker and even better to help deal with the real threat of terrorism this city now faces."

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