Future of Cumbria Constabulary

That this House notes with concern that the King’s Speech has confirmed that the Government intends to proceed with plans to restructure police forces including the likely merger of Cumbria Constabulary with other police forces across the North of England; further notes that such a merger risks resulting in police resources being diverted away from Cumbria, to the detriment of local policing and public safety in the county; and recognises that Cumbria is a predominantly rural county with distinct policing needs, including the challenges of sparsely populated areas, isolated communities, and agricultural crime, which require a locally accountable and adequately resourced constabulary.