KENT has had a county police force to be proud of for almost 150 years. But now it is under threat.

And it could cost Kent families dear by pushing up the council tax and driving down the quality of policing.

The Home Office has tabled proposals which could lead to Kent merging with neighbouring forces.

Kent’s Chief Constable, Mike Fuller, and Kent Police Authority are fighting the plan.

Mr Fuller has sent Home Secretary Charles Clarke a no-nonsense case for retaining Kent as a stand-alone force.

A survey has shown that about 70 per cent of the public support Kent police. But the Home Office has not sought public opinion.

So we are giving readers the chance to add their voice to the campaign. We will send your views to Mr Clarke along with our plea for him to leave Kent alone.

THE PROPOSALS

The nationwide reorganisation proposals came from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary. It says the structure of the nation’s 43 police forces is no longer “fit for purpose” and argues that smaller forces do not have the resources to cope with counter-terrorism, organised crime or major incidents.

Five options are on the table for the South East. Two would see Kent merge with both Surrey and Sussex. One would combine Kent and Sussex. The other two leave Kent alone.

THE CASE AGAINST

Cost: Police experts have calculated that merger proposals affecting Kent could cost more than £90 million over 10 years. Allowing Kent to grow as a stand-alone force would cost about £1 million over the same period.

The experts also predict that Kent’s police precept – the annual charge on council taxpayers – will be forced up. It is currently one of the lowest charges.

Performance: Kent has one of the best performing police forces. Results published by the Inspectorate of Constabulary show Kent to be the third best performing force of the 43 in the country. The fear is that merging with less efficient forces will drive down the standard of policing and kill off some of Kent’s innovative ventures.

Criteria: Kent constabulary is the seventh largest with more than 6,000 staff. But the number of police officers is below the recommended level. This could lead to work currently done by civilians being given to officers, undermining efforts to get more police on the front line.

The Kent force will expand above the required number of officers as the county’s population explodes over the next decade. A 10-year programme of change is already underway to enable the Kent force to cope with future challenges.

What do you think? Have your say on our website, www.kentOnline.co.uk, by clicking on to the Kent Police Speak Out. Alternatively, you can write to Police, KM Editorial, Messenger House, New Hythe Lane, Aylesford ME20 6SG. Some of your comments may be published in our newspapers.