Will scandal hit force that targeted him have to merge?

THE future of South Yorkshire Police was thrown into doubt last night after the humiliating end to its Cliff Richard investigation.

The force was already in meltdown after a series of scandals engulfed senior officers.

And in the aftermath of prosecutors’ decision not to bring charges against Sir Cliff following a protracted inquiry, some believe the only solution would be to merge South Yorkshire Police with a neighbouring constabulary.

As well as facing criticism for the investigation into Sir Cliff, the force has been accused of corruption and incompetence over its handling of the Hillsborough stadium disaster, the Rotherham sex abuse case and the Battle of Orgreave during the miners’ strike.

Last month it faced more criticism after officers from the force were pictured enjoying a late-night drinking session in Kos after flying to the Greek island to renew the campaign to find Ben Needham, who disappeared in 1991 aged 21 months.

Chief Constable David Crompton has been suspended over his handling of the Hillsborough inquest, and his supervision of the bungled inquiry into Sir Cliff is certain to be questioned.

In a statement yesterday, the force tried to justify its investigation into Sir Cliff. ‘Non-recent allegations are, by their very nature, complex and difficult matters to investigate,’ it said.

‘We have a duty to explore any allegations relating to sexual abuse and will go wherever the evidence takes us to protect victims and stop offending. Whilst recognising how difficult it is for a person to be under investigation and have their innocence publicly called into question, South Yorkshire Police takes seriously its responsibility to investigate allegations of non-recent abuse.’