A DECISION on the restructuring of Wiltshire police force has been delayed until May.

Under Government plans, the 43 forces in England and Wales will be amalgamated into larger constabularies, in the biggest overhaul in policing for more than 30 years. However, the five forces in the south west; Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, have failed to agree which should be merged.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke announced in Parliament last Thursday that a decision on the restructuring of forces in the south west will not be taken for another two months.

Bertie Woolnough, chairman of the Wiltshire Police Authority said: "Leaving restructuring of the south west until last reflects the difficulty in amalgamating forces in this part of the country.

"A single regional force would be unwieldy and probably unworkable. "If Wiltshire's force were to be amalgamated with Dorset and Gloucestershire, the geography and infrastructure could cause operational difficulties."

Wiltshire Police Authority's favoured option is to work more closely with two other forces.

"We have proposed a strategic alliance with Dorset and Gloucestershire, sharing operational capability on more serious criminal matters, and sharing back office resources to maximise efficiencies," said Mr Woolnough.

"The existing forces would then continue to deliver local policing to the high standards that the public expects."