FEARS have been raised over plans to scrap the roles of 60 MoD police officers covering the Salisbury Plain area – just weeks after it was announced 4,000 soldiers are to return from Germany and be based there.

Under the proposals the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) would be removed from Boscombe Down, Winterbourne Gunner, Bulford, Larkhill, Tidworth and Wilton. The move, a cost-cutting measure, has provoked fears of increased crime and damage to the environment among those living nearby.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Valerie Trout, who regularly exercises her dogs on the Plain, said: “I am shocked to learn that the MoD police officers are to be withdrawn from Salisbury Plain.

“I have no idea of the reason for this action but I wonder if those responsible have considered the possible outcome.

“Certainly fly tipping will increase as will metal thefts, and farmers who use certain fields for cow and sheep grazing will have their work cut out to prevent possible theft and injury to their stock.

“My major concern however, is the increased use of the Plain and Tidworth ranges by off-roaders, who will greatly damage the environment and cause major disturbance and injury to the wildlife.”

An MoD spokesman said the removal of officers from sites across the country would involve greater reliance on local police forces and that a number of Chief Constables had been briefed on the proposals.

He said: “As part of the measures being taken to balance the Defence budget, the MoD has concluded that there is scope for savings to be made in the policing of some sites and has initiated formal consultation with the relevant trades unions and staff associations.

“Until consultation is concluded, there can be no final decisions.

“We are proposing however to reduce the overall footprint of the MDP, and this will affect a number of areas including Wiltshire. Any changes are likely to take effect in 2014/15.”

Salisbury MP John Glen, who raised the matter in the House of Commons last Thursday, asked for a review of the plans, saying they did not take into account the recent review of Army bases that will see thousands of families moving back to the area.