POLICE stations will be shut to the public and victims of crime more often to save money.

Thames Valley Police has launched a public consultation to review the opening hours of its front counters – saying it wanted them ‘realigned to make the best use of resources’.

No details on which stations will be affected or how many hours will be cut were available from police last night but the scheme is designed to cut costs.

Former police officers said it would impact on the force’s relationship with the public.

Chief Superintendent David Lewis, whose remit is neighbourhood policing and partnerships, said the force was committed to maintaining accessibility to the public and pledged that no front counters would be completely closed.

He said the force would maintain a “broad geographical presence” and said the changes aimed to provide “more efficient, high quality” counter services.

But he added: “There will, however, be changes to the current opening times, which will be realigned to make the best use of our resources, while continuing to meet public needs. The exact opening hours will be determined following further consultation.”

Former Wantage Police Station sergeant Donald Walker, 85, said: “It is very, very nice for a community that you can go to a police station at any time. It is a shame you are losing that personal touch.”

But he said modern communications meant the public would still be able to get in touch with officers.

Former Met police officer Eddy Goldsmith, who is now a town councillor in Wantage, said: “It beggars belief they are cutting opening hours.

“They are depriving people of the right to go into a police station and report something. It is just penny pinching.”

But Oxford City Council board member for crime and community safety Bob Timbs said: “The police, like everyone else in Britain, are looking at their funding and what they can do with the money available. But I hope, if there are cuts, they are as minor as possible and I hope there will not be any at certain major stations, like St Aldate’s.”

He said opening hour changes would not affect the public’s contact with officers.

Hours vary across the county. The only police station in Oxfordshire to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is St Aldate’s in Oxford.

Abingdon Police Station opens from 8am to 10pm every day but Didcot opens 8am to 8pm Wednesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday, Monday and Tuesday and is closed on Sunday.

Stations in some large towns of Chipping Norton and Wallingford are closed at the weekends.

* Members of the public can take part in the consultation by emailing counterservices changeproject@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk