A TOWN is set to lose its police station front desk despite efforts to keep it open.

For weeks Ribble Valley Council, residents and community groups have banded together to try and keep Clitheroe Police Station’s front desk open.

As well as losing face-to-face contact with officers, the protestors also raised concerns about government austerity cuts to police budgets and the impact this would have on crime in the area.

The council had offered Lancashire’s police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw the chance to combine the council’s CCTV system with a police front desk system in a last ditch effort to save the front counter from closure.

But proposals put forward between the two offices were deemed as ‘unviable’ by the Lancashire police crime commissioner.

Cllr Robert Thompson, who is chair of the Ribble Valley Community Safety Partnership, said: “We are very disappointed that residents of the rural Ribble Valley may well have lost face to face contact with police in Clitheroe.

“There are a lot of older people who live in the Ribble Valley and traditionally it has been face to face where you got to meet and speak to your local police officer.

“The station may not be used a lot but it is there and has always been a reassurance for many residents.”

Cllr Paul Elms, deputy leader of Ribble Valley Council, said: “I do not agree with the decision.

“The council has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to try to reach an agreement with Mr Grunshaw but unfortunately we have hit an impasse.”

Mr Grunshaw said: “During the consultation period, proposals were put forward regarding the Clitheroe front counter – following discussions between my office, Lancashire Constabulary and Ribble Valley Borough Council.

“It was decided by all parties that these were unfortunately not viable and so could not be taken any further.

“I want to reiterate that the way areas are policed will not change in any way, officers will still be based at local police stations and work in these communities.

“As the Constabulary manages the continuing cuts to its funding by Government, we have to look at how the public want to report crimes and make sure that service receives the investment it needs.

“Going forward we will continue to work together with Ribble Valley Borough Council on the development of a shared community space where the police, council and other partners will be able to engage with residents in the Ribble Valley community.”