Police commissioners in Norfolk and Suffolk favour closer cooperation amid concerns about plans for a larger regional police force.
A merger between Norfolk and Suffolk police forces is being considered as an alternative to proposals that could see policing reorganised across the East of England.
Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, has strongly opposed the prospect of a single regional force covering six counties, warning that such an arrangement could weaken local policing.
Speaking at a public meeting in Newmarket, Mr Passmore confirmed that he had raised his concerns directly with the Home Secretary.
He believes a larger regional organisation could divert resources away from rural communities towards more densely populated areas experiencing higher levels of crime.
Instead, he is exploring the possibility of closer cooperation or a formal merger between Suffolk and Norfolk Constabularies.
Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, Colin Sutton, has also expressed support for a two-county approach rather than a much larger regional force.
The neighbouring constabularies already share a number of specialist services, including major investigations, protective services, custody arrangements and information technology.
Supporters of closer collaboration believe combining resources could deliver savings while maintaining a stronger local focus.
However, no formal merger has been agreed, and significant questions remain about how any new policing structure would operate.
The Home Office is reviewing police force arrangements nationally, but no final decision has been announced.
Both commissioners are seeking to protect policing services that respond to the particular needs of rural communities across Norfolk and Suffolk.
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