RIBBLE Valley leaders have blasted plans being considered by police chiefs to relocate Clitheroe CID.

The proposals to move the detectives investigating serious crimes from their base in King Street are being considered as part of Lancashire Constabulary cost cutting measures.

This comes after officers from Darwen CID were moved to the Greenbank police headquarters in Blackburn earlier this year.

Police chiefs would not confirm the timeline of the move but said that it was one of the options being considered to help them to reach their savings target.

Proposals are being considered which would involve Hyndburn and Ribble Valley CID working out of one location, possibly in Accrington.

The savings are being demanded by the coalition Government, which has told each department to target 25 per cent budget cuts.

In June last year it was revealed that 1,000 Lancashire police jobs were under threat amid feared cuts of £45million.

Nigel Evans, Ribble Valley MP, condemned the proposals claiming that it could lead to an increase in crime in the borough — regularly hailed as one of the safest places to live in the country.

He said: "There are several things that are being considered including cutting services and closing police stations and I am completely opposed to them all.

"We need good coverage and a top base in Clitheroe with all the facilities and i would strongly object to any relocation of a vital service.

"The feeling of security that we have top officers on our doorstep will be lost and will make people feel unsafe.

"The reason it is one of the safest places in the country is because we have incredibly effective policing in the area and I would not want this to change."

Detective chief inspector Dean Holden said: “As part of the Constabulary’s efforts to save around £42million over the next four years, CID structures are being reviewed at Eastern Division.

"Proposals are being considered however, no decisions have yet been made.”