CHESHIRE Police may have to merge with another force after a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary concluded it was too small to deal with 21st century concerns.

The study delivered to Home Secretary Charles Clarke on Friday said forces with fewer than 4,000 officers were unable to cope with threats of terror and organised crime and proposed creating 30 super forces through a series of mergers.

And with Cheshire boasting just 2,207 officers, a merger with Merseyside, Staffordshire or North Wales could become a reality.

Charles Clarke said the existing 30-year old structure, which includes 43 forces, was no longer fit for its purpose and said strategic teams were the answer.

He added: "The modern threats we face today from terrorism, international drug and people traffickers and financial crime gangs need police forces which have the resources to match the criminals

"Doing 43 things different ways no longer works and the implication of the HMIC report is that inevitably we will have fewer forces in the future."

And following a London meeting between the home secretary and chief constables held on Monday - where a consultation period of three months was agreed - the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland (ACPO) has backed HMIC proposals.

ACPO president Chris Fox said: "It was clear that our current arrangements were leaving gaps and we advised what a strategic force should be able to deal with and recommended that the HMIC make an assessment of that capability.

"We wholeheartedly support the Home Secretary in his desire to construct a service that protects people from all possible risks.

"Public expectations, the feelings and motivations of 200,000 police staff, police estates, IT and intelligence systems all need to be taken into account."

Threat

And Cheshire Chief Constable Peter Fahy said he understands change is necessary.

He added: "Clearly the continued existence of Cheshire Constabulary as a separate organisation is now under threat.

"Policing needs to change if we are to meet the changing nature of crime and the expectations of the public."

But Police Authority chairman Peter Nurse said they would mount a strong case against community policing being governed by Liverpool or Manchester.

He added: "We will be prepared to discuss with other police authorities the use of joint arrangements to tackle terrorism and serious crime."