The Home Office says merging forces will modernise policing

Leicestershire chief constable Matt Baggott said his force has submitted two options but is asking for more time to consider funding and other issues.

The Home Secretary had requested that forces put forward one preferred option by Friday.

Several other forces in the region also said more discussion was needed.

'Not equipped'

Nottinghamshire Police Authority has "declined to identify a preferred option or to volunteer for changes to the current policing structure," while Lincolnshire's police authority is calling for more time to consider the issue.

Derbyshire's police authority said it will submit the work it has done, but added that no recommendation will be made until concerns on funding are addressed.

The two options are the merger of five forces - Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire - or grouping Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire in one division and Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire in another.

Mr Baggott said after a police authority meeting on the issue: "I do believe that the operational case for a regional force is compelling and could be achieved without comprising our local identity or our presence in neighbourhoods.

"Nevertheless there remain significant issues to be resolved regarding funding and ensuring that the level of protective service in the region is consistent with national expectations.

"These are matters that rightly should now be scrutinised and discussed in depth."

Home Secretary Charles Clarke has said he wants to merge the forces to as few as 12 in the entire country.