POLICE station front counters in Darwen, Clitheroe, Waterfoot, Colne and Barnoldswick are under threat of closure, it has been revealed.

The move, along with the closure of five other s in Lancashire and reduced hours at several more would save the force £1.4million if approved.

The proposals are part of plans to shave £19.8million from the force's budget in line with Government cuts by 2020. That is on top of the £72.2million cut since 2010.

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The plans outlined by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw would see reduced opening hours at Blackburn Greenbank, Blackburn Town Centre, Burnley, Accrington, Nelson and Chorley stations.

The changes would come into force in January.

Mr Grunshaw said no police jobs were under threat and there would be no change in the way the area was policed.

However if the plans, which are subject to consultation go ahead, civilian staff numbers across the county would be reduced from 97 to 54.

He added that some of the front counters only saw between three and 10 people a day.

A spokesman for the commissioner's office said it was in consultation with unions and it was hoping to avoid compulsory redundancies.

The proposals were met with outrage from politicians.

Darwen and Rossendale MP Jake Berry said: "It is a terrible mistake to fundamentally undermine the public nature of policing by closing the two front counters in my constituency.

"While I think everyone accepts there are tough decisions to be made to balance the budget, undermining the public nature of policing is not one Clive Grunshaw should be taking."

Andrew Stephenson, Pendle’s Conservative MP, said: “The proposed closure of the front counters at Colne and Barnoldswick police stations are outrageous, unnecessary and politically-motivated.

“This is nothing to do with changes in the police funding formula.

“The commissioner has a large budget and makes choices. These are the wrong choices.”

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said he would be raising the issue with Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

He said: "It's absolutely appalling.

"Yet again rural areas are being sidelined and ignored.

"You have got a growing town in Clitheroe and to close the main station to the public is a disgrace.

"A lot of the money for the policing precept will come from people in the Ribble Valley and they deserve a lot better from the commissioner.

"I would hope the residents of the Ribble Valley take part in the consultation and fight for what is a very valuable community resource."

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: "It is very disappointing. The cuts have gone too far.

"We have lost 1,000 police officers in Lancashire and 20,000 nationally.

"I want all the police stations in Hyndburn and Haslingden to be re-opened.

"In Theresa May's time as Home Secretary and Prime Minister we have seen the collapse of neighbourhood policing. These cuts are having real consequences on the effectiveness of front line policing."

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, Labour leader of Pendle Council, said: “I shall be standing shoulder to shoulder with the commissioner in seeking extra resources from Government to keep the front counters in Barnoldswick and Colne open.

“Blame for this lies firmly at the door of the government and its reduction in grants to Lancashire’s hard-pressed police service.”

In total there are proposals to close 10 front counters in stations across Lancashire.

This move comes on the back of a review by the force, which suggests fewer crimes are reported via police stations.

The review showed demand on the police telephone contact centre continues to grow with more than 2,400 calls dealt with every day, while the cost of serving residents at each station varies from £5.77 at the busiest stations and £44.23 at the quietest, based on hours worked and number of people seen.

Much of the work done by front desk staff such as immigration registrations, some driving and vehicle checks has also moved online.

Mr Grunshaw said: "Firstly I want to reassure our communities this review will not change the way areas are policed.

"Front counters are not staffed by police officers and this review will not impact on officer numbers.

"Of course these changes are taking place as part of the way the force looks to manage the continuing cuts to its funding by Government.

"But it is more than just that, what the force wants to do is ensure services provide value for money and are delivered in a way that people want to receive them.

"We have to look at how the public want to report crimes and make sure that service receives the investment it needs. The public have been voting with their feet for some time and the front counters proposed for closure serve only three to ten people a day."

Chief Superintendent Peter Lawson, who carried out the the review, said: "Our enquiry desk staff perform a valuable role and this needs to be maintained, but not at the current level which far outweighs demand.

"Members of the public will still be able to contact local officers, engage with local policing teams and gain the help and support they need."

Rachel Baines, chairman of Lancashire Police Federation, said: "With the severity of these cuts closing the front counters is the only way of finding the necessary savings without reducing police numbers further.

"Our stance as a federation remains policing needs investment.

"The Government has cut the budget by £72million in the last seven years and we still need to find another £20million in the next three years."

To take part in the consultation write to Front counter review, County Hall, Pitt Street, Preston PR1 0LD or email commissioner@lancashire-pcc.gov.uk.