THE Home Secretary has announced a blueprint for reforming the current policing model in England and Wales.

Shabana Mahmood confirmed the shake-up will create a new National Police Service to fight the most complex cross-border crime and could also see the number of local forces in England and Wales cut by about two-thirds.

It has been suggested that West Mercia Police should be merged with the West Midlands Police.

Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, said the rural and semi-rural nature of much of the West Mercia policing area meant it had very different needs to an urban metropolitan force such as that of the West Midlands.

West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has expressed concern that the latest proposals aren’t focused on local communities.

Mr Campion believes the proposals will threaten the vital local connections that policing is built on.

Mr Campion added: “Whilst I am not against reform, it should be done to drive improvements. These proposals therefore need to do that for not just policing, but communities too.

“I am also concerned that moving policing towards a more centralised model, dictated by Whitehall, risks losing the public voice from the heart of local policing – something I have continually championed for in my role as the commissioner.

“The most important thing is the need for stability and consistency and ensuring policing is set up to continue keeping our communities safe. I will work with the Government as the plans are scrutinised and improved over the coming months.”

Ms Mahmood said: "This government's reforms will ensure we have the right policing in the right place," and added that she also intends to make better use of technology - including the largest-ever rollout of facial recognition.

Ms Mahmood previously revealed in November of her plans to get rid of elected Police and Crime Commissioners, and create a National Police Service, which she said will free up forces to tackle everyday crime.