GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S Chief Constable Dr Timothy Brain has expressed his disappointment that the Constabulary will only be reimbursed £36,124 of the more than £200,000 it cost the force to prepare for the ill-fated police force amalgamation programme.

The force submitted a bid, via Dorset Police, which acted on behalf of a number of forces in the South West, for the £36,124 spent specifically on the restructuring process to be reimbursed.

Gloucestershire Constabulary also incurred costs of £166,000 as a result of officers being deflected from other duties to work on the restructuring project, however these costs will not be reimbursed.

Dr Brain said: "We are disappointed but we have to be realistic. Originally the Home Office wasn't intending to pay anything to the South West forces until we protested.

"We are at least now being reimbursed in line with all other forces in the country. However, looking at the national picture it does seem that some forces are getting a bigger proportion paid than we are.

"It still looks like the Home Office have either made another mistake or are simply being punitive against the South West. We shall not let the matter rest yet.

"But we must count ourselves lucky - at least the Home Office have abandoned plans for amalgamation.

"Thanks to our research and determination their plans will not now be instituted. Had they been it would have cost millions."