THE biggest police shake-up in 30 years could spell the end for a separate West Yorkshire force.

Police forces across England and Wales have been told to formulate plans.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke has said that in Yorkshire he would like to see either a regional force or two large, strategic forces.

But the Home Office has said Mr Clarke's views were only suggestions.

The choice of having two Yorkshire forces would mean West Yorkshire merging with North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire linking up with Humberside.

Mr Clarke's plans could see the number of police forces slashed from 43 to as few as 12. The plan follows a report by Inspectorate of Constabulary in September which said the current police structure was unfit for the 21st century.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "The number of forces could be as few as 12, but only if the forces choose to take that option. They do not have to follow our guidance. The Home Secretary is saying: `This is my preferred option for you'."

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: "Replacing the current structure with regional police forces will damage the relationship between local areas and their police.

"As the bonds between communities and their police forces disappear, local accountability will be eroded."

Liberal Democrat spokesman Mark Oaten said: "The Government is again trying to impose more central control over policing, instead of giving greater power to local communities."