THE front desk at Ringwood police station will close its doors at the end of next month, it has been announced.

Hampshire Police say the closure on March 30 is a “direct result of the current financial climate”.

The decision follows an in-depth review which was carried out between January and October last year of how the public use police station front offices.

Sector Inspector Simon Tribe said: “Residents should be reassured that we are not leaving the town and will continue to operate from the station.”

He said the police are exploring opportunities to operate from other locations such as libraries and local supermarkets and Safer Neighbourhood officers will continue to patrol their beats and meet with the public in surgeries.

On February 1, the front counter at New Milton police station also closed.