Hertfordshire: Labour refuse to pay Police for errors

2.00.00pm GMT Tue 31st Oct 2006

Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats have been angered by the refusal of the Labour Government to provide proper compensation for the failed mergers which they tried to force on to local people.

Cllr Allan Witherick who is a member of Hertfordshire Police Authority and their lead for St Albans said: "Locally the failed police mergers cost Herts £194,286. I find it unacceptable that our local Tory and Labour MPs have failed to secure proper compensation for local residents for this farce. Instead the Labour Government has left us to pay out the wasted money from our limited reserves and Council Tax."

Cllr Michael Colne is the spokesman for the Liberal Democrats on the Police Authority and added: "Labour have proved that they are hard on crime, but far tougher on the police by causing needless waste with funds which could have been helping fight the criminals on our streets."

Ends

Editors Note: Hertfordshire Police Authority attempted to claim back £194,286 from the Government, of which only £100,000 has been given. However the Labour Government only recognised £144,327 as the rest was non-cashable.