FEARS have been raised that Fordingbridge’s 154-year-old police station could be lost following savage cuts to Hampshire’s policing budget.

The office in Station Road is “temporarily closed” following the retirement of SC Ann Sevier, who used to open the front office.

But, despite assurances from Hampshire Police that the closure to members of the public is temporary, an estates review by Hampshire Constabulary could mean it never re-opens.

A police spokesman said: “We are looking to find an alternative member of staff which will allow us to re-open the station to members of the public.

“There is an ongoing review taking place of all the estates across the two counties and as part of that we are looking to reduce the number of buildings the force currently occupies. But no formal decisions have been made at this time.

“It is anticipated that the force will be in a position to make a decision next month based on the outcome of other reviews happening across the force.”

The force is looking to reduce its budget by a quarter – £70million – over the next four years.

Chairman of Hampshire Police Authority Jacqui Rayment said: “The changes will take place over a number of years and no police station will close until an alternative location within the same community has been found.”

She added that the force is hoping to share space with other community facilities in a bid to save money.

Mayor Malcolm Connolly said: “We’ve had some knowledge of this as a town council for some time.

“We would like it to remain open but the reality is that policing has changed. New communications technology means they do not need a police station and it has been deemed that it would be beneficial to sell it, though that hasn’t been decided yet.

“The hardest hit will be the elderly, who don’t like to email or call 101, but we are hoping to set up a service at the town council where people can report crimes and concerns to the clerk.”

Fordingbridge police inspector James Douglas said: “Fordingbridge Station has only been able to offer a minimal front office facility where our long-serving special constable Ann Sevier, has attended most evenings for an hour.

“However the mobile data technology will now release police officers and PCSOs from sitting at computer terminals inside the stations, so that they can perform necessary administration anywhere in the local area.

“It will be like a return to a policing style that has been lost following the introduction of vehicles and computers.

“Officers can now start work anywhere, and station themselves in areas where visibility will both reassure local people and deter criminal and antisocial activities just by their presence. “In addition the technology will allow instant criminal database access and on-the-spot fingerprint analysis will prevent deception. “Officers will also be able to take photographs and witness statements at the scenes of incidents and record these immediately into the investigation database, without the need for them or witnesses to attend a police station. “Irrespective of whether any police stations close, I believe that local people will actually see far more police in the community.”