GREAT Harwood Police Station is set to close next month despite assurances recent closures were simply down to staff shortages.

Speculation about the future of the front desk came to the fore after it was temporarily closed earlier this month.

Lancashire's police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw, told the Lancashire Telegraph at the time: "I have been assured that this is purely temporary and the front desk will be open on its usual hours next week."

Police chiefs confirmed the station would close as the force seeks to save money. .

A Lancashire police spokesman said they are ‘continuing to look at all of their services to ensure that they provide good value for money, work efficiently and meet the needs of the modern police service as we move forward’.

He said they will no longer renew the lease on the Hesketh Lane building after taking a decision some time ago that the premises were ‘underutilised and no longer fit for purpose’.

The station will close on the July 10 leaving the nearest front counter for public enquiries at Blackburn Police Station, Greenbank, Blackburn, or Broadway, Accrington.

Ch Ins Jon Bullas said: “I would like to reassure members of the public that the number of officers policing Great Harwood will remain unchanged.

“While the local policing team currently based at Great Harwood will now start and finish their tours of duty at Accrington, they will continue to operate in Great Harwood throughout their shift.

“Finally, I would also like to stress that there will be no alterations to the current roles of our Response Officers who provide 24 hour coverage within the community of Great Harwood in dealing with emergency calls”