Havering Police are likely to merge with Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham’s forces, it can be revealed.

Speaking at a meeting in Ilford on Thursday, Redbridge borough commander Ch Supt Mandy Beacher explained her staff are part of provisional plans, to tie together the three neighbouring boroughs.

She said: “The discussion that we’ve had with the deputy mayor for policing is that we have got to make some structural changes to the police service.

“We are in discussions, so there have been no final decisions, but we are discussing a possible borough merger.”

For the plan to go ahead Havering Police, and the other two boroughs, would have to volunteer for the merger, and it would be reversible if reported crime increased in any of the areas.

It is believed there would be one chief superintendent to cover the three boroughs, with a senior officer in charge of each.

Key assets, such as the gang unit in Barking, would be shared.

Ch Supt Beacher added that Havering’s chief executive and council leader had been informed, and “preliminary discussions have been positive”.