Epsom is to join the safest county in the country as Surrey Police take over its policing in the new millennium.

The Home Secretary, Jack Straw, this week announced his decision to move the Metropolitan Police boundaries in line with the proposed Greater London Authority in April 2000.

This effectively splits the Sutton and Epsom division over the Greater London boundary, pushing Epsom into the Surrey Police area - the safest county in the country, according to Home Office statistics. Sutton remains under Metropolitan Police jurisdiction.

The move has been formally welcomed by both police forces and presented by Jack Straw as a long overdue change to an historical anachronism dating back to 1839.

Mr Straw said: "This change will mean that local councils and criminal justice agencies in the county districts of the Metropolitan Police District will not have to work with two different police forces which leads to inefficiency and duplication."

Sutton and Epsom Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Bob Broadhurst said that, while the Met had not sought changes to the boundary, it recognises the need to align police boundaries with the new Greater London Authority to continue efficient working.

But fears have been expressed over the details of the transfer and policing levels in Epsom.

Epsom Councillor Brian Angus, chairman of Epsom and Ewell Police Consultative Group, has slammed the move. He says there were many questions left unanswered. "At present 98 officers cover Epsom, Ewell and Banstead - what level will Surrey Constabulary be resourced for?" he said. "Will the Home Secretary allow a meaningful hand-over period right up to April 2000 so that local police knowledge can be passed on and criminal data be transferred with minimal disruption?"

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.