MERSEYSIDE’S police watchdog chief last night called for a public referendum on plans to bring in controversial force commissioners.

The demand by Bill Weightman, chairman of Merseyside Police Authority, came after he revealed that less than one in seven people back the government plans.

A poll carried out by the authority – the body set to be replaced by just one person – found only 15% out of more than 1,000 Merseysiders asked support the plans.

At a time when police officers numbers are falling because of cuts to the budget, the government wants to bring about expensive reform to the way policing is run.

The Association of Chief Police Officers have concerns similar to those raised on Merseyside that organised criminals could put their own people in as commissioners, who will have the final say on police priorities in their area.

The £122,000-a-year post will see the public vote to put someone in place for four years who will have the power to fire failing Chief Constables.

But critics say only established political parties have the budget and resources to run an election campaign.

Mr Weightman, who is also a Labour councillor for Knowsley, said: “This is a colossal waste of money to fix something that isn’t broke.

“We have no problem with democratic change and reforming policing, but we object to off the back of a fag packet policy making.