SHUTTING the county’s police buildings will increase safety worries among residents, community leaders have warned.

By 2017, Thames Valley Police will have shut more than half of the 55 properties it had in 2010, including stations and administration offices.

It has already closed 24 properties across the county and is planning to close another eight – including police stations in Woodstock, Wallingford, Wantage and Chipping Norton – leaving 26 sites.

Charities, councillors and residents have said it will reduce the force’s presence in the areas affected, prompting safety fears.

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Jose Quezon works as a team leader at Real Life Options, a charity that helps vulnerable people with learning disabilities in Wood Farm, Oxford.

The police office on the estate was used as a base for community officers and while it was predominately administrative, Mr Quezon said its presence was a reassurance to residents.

But since the office closed in last year people have not felt able to go out alone, he said.

He said: “They feel more safe when there is a police station [office] and police cars around the area.”

Wallingford Police Station will shut in 2015-16 under the force’s plans and although TVP has said there will be a new on-site office by 2016, resident Lee Upcraft was concerned by the drop in services.

The UKIP prospective parliamentary candidate for Wantage said: “There are going to be fewer services and it will make people feel concerned about safety.”

Police spokesman James Williams said Woodstock and Wallingford will have new on-site offices by the end of 2016.

Services in Charlbury, Thame, Chipping Norton and Kidlington have been moved to other places, such as libraries, supermarkets and hospitals.

In Charlbury, the police office has been replaced by a counter at the Corner House that is open three hours a week.

Mr Williams said: “Most police stations which are owned are being replaced with something smaller and more appropriate to local policing needs. Thames Valley Police remains committed to protecting the frontline, planning for future growth and collaborating with partners to co-locate services where practical.”

County councillor Neil Owen said villagers in Churchill, near Chipping Norton, have noticed the difference since police services were moved to the town’s Guildhall offices last year.

He said: “It’s not a step that anyone is happy with.

“There’s a feeling there are no real police officers around and it’s just a help desk staffed by civilians.”

The force is faced with a budget reduction of £44.6m over the next three years.

End of the line.

2010/11

  • Culham Science Centre shared service office
  • Cumnor High Street police office
  • Part of Wychwood House, Kidlington, shared service office
  • M40 Waterstock Services police office

2011/12

  • Abingdon College training facility
  • Kirtlington Office Park shared service office
  • Eynsham shared service office
  • Chinnor police office
  • Burford police office
  • Deddington police office

2012/13

  • Ardington police office
  • Kidlington shopping centre shared service office
  • Middleton Stoney shared service office

2013/14

  • Old Music Hall, Cowley Road, shared service office
  • Crouch Street, Banbury, shared service office

2014/15

  • Charlbury neighbourhood police office
  • Kidlington police station
  • Part of Greys Road, Henley, police station
  • Part of Wychwood House, Kidlington, shared service office
  • Beaumont House, Kidlington, office
  • Wood Farm, Oxford, police office
  • Vacant plot of land at Rowstock
  • Two shared service offices in Kidlington

2015/16

  • Woodstock police station
  • Chipping Norton police station
  • Wallingford police station
  • Wantage police station
  • Thame police station
  • North Oxford police office

2016/17

  • Two more shared service offices in Kidlington