THAMES Valley Police will be paid back less than a quarter of the money it spent on drawing up the dumped force merger plans, it has emerged.
Home Office minister Tony McNulty awarded the force £33,860 to cover the additional costs spent on hastily drawing up proposals to combine with neighbouring forces.
But the force estimates that the collapsed shake-up cost it £151,860, leaving it £118,000 out of pocket.
The merger programme - opposed by a majority of police authorities - were shelved in July following claims they would push up council tax bills and lead to the loss of frontline jobs.
Nationally, the 43 forces in England and Wales applied for £6.5m but received just £4m.
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