COMMUNITIES could suffer if police boundaries are changed as part of a new regional assembly, it was claimed today.

Members of Lancashire Police Authority are drafting a letter outlining their concerns to the Government ahead of next year's vote on whether to restructure local authorities.

Many options are being considered and plans to replace councils with an East Lancashire authority run from Blackburn have already caused controversy.

The Police Authority is concerned that any change would have the knock-on effect of altering Lancashire Constabulary's boundaries, which in turn would alter its effectiveness in fighting crime.

On Thursday, members of the Police Authority are meeting at County Hall, Preston, to discuss the implications for the force. They have until September 8 to have their say before the Boundary Committee draws up its draft recommendations for the government.

An authority report to the committee says: "Clearly, Lancashire Police Authority should not stand aside from the review process.

"Changes to police areas must not occur as unforeseen consequences of a review of local government boundaries."

The letter to the Boundary Commission says: "Any restructuring of police areas must be driven by policing and operational needs, and not just be a by-product of local authority restructuring. The current boundaries of Lancashire Constabulary should not be eroded.

"The authority is big enough to be self-sufficient, credible and economic, but local enough to be accessible and community based.

"Proposals for amending boundaries within the current Lancashire area must make sense in terms of local policing and community safety.

"Current partnership arrangements in Lancashire work well, and changes to them must deliver a benefit that outweighs the disruption that will be caused. In particular ,local people should be able to see an improvement in their community safety as a result."