IMHO, it's the lack of money that's at the very heart of this.
The dream of a national joined up service, was a good one, just that when forces were awash with cheap Home Office money the CCs were never going to give up any part of their little empires (and more than a few saw co-operation as a sign of weakness), so the dream would remain just that.
Once the money stopped flowing, the 'dream' became easy to push through as the CCs could then blame others for what has ensued.
Those still toiling at the sharp end each night are between a rock and a hard place, spread so thin, it's no wonder big gaps in capability happen, and then we have people who still think police aircraft have nothing better to do than just launch after midnight on a whim for the fun of making noise!
Here's my thanks on record for those that are still doing it, despite the circumstances.