There’s been a definite autumnal feel in the air over the past few weeks and the summer heatwave feels like a distant memory with the crisp mornings we’ve been having. 

As summer draws to a close so does our engagement season – I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out and about across Devon and Cornwall meeting so many people.

This week I met with the Chief Constable and our equivalents in Dorset to look in detail at the final business case and discuss the merger proposal.

We haven’t come to a unanimous decision about whether we will submit the final business case to the Home Office.

I am minded not to support the proposal – I haven’t yet been convinced that a merger is in the best interests for the people of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, which is why I will be taking the business case to the Police and Crime Panel for further discussion around my key concerns on Friday 5 October. 

I need to be absolutely sure that a merger would create a stronger, more resilient police force to serve our communities and I look forward to hearing the views of the panel.

I would like to take this moment to thank everyone who completed the survey letting me know their views – I promised to find out what people thought and it really has formed a key part of my decision making.

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Alison Hernandez