A RURAL borough is being short-changed over policing its MP and a leading councillor have alleged.

Ribble Valley Tory backbencher Nigel Evans raised the issue at Prime Ministers Questions at Westminster this week.

Billington and Old Langho Conservative Councillor Ged Mirfin has conducted an analysis he claims shows that Lancashire's police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw is starving the borough of resources.

Mr Grunshaw blamed the government grant reductions for policing cutbacks and said Ribble Vally's crime rate remained much lower than in neighbouring boroughs.

In the House of Commons Mr Evans tackled Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster David Lidington, standing in for Theresa May.

He told him: “Crime is on the increase in the Ribble Valleybut the response from the Labour police and crime commissioner is to close front desk services at police stations, including Clitherow.

"Do you agree that we do not better protect the public by degrading the service that they pay for?”

Responding, Mr Lidington said: “You are right to say that the accessibility of local officers is a vital principle of British policing.

"We have provided Lancashire police with more than £6million for 2017-18.”

“Decisions about resources, including the use of police stations, are a matter for police and crime commissioners and chief constables. I encourage them to listen to their local communities.”

Cllr Mirfin said his figures showed Ribble Valley had seen a 31.2 per cent rise in recorded crime in 12 months.

He said its resident provided 5.3 per cent of Lancashire’s policing budget (£4million) through council tax, but had just 21 permanent officers, including six PCSOs.

Mr Evans said: "I have campaigned against Mr Grunshaw's decision to close Clitheroe's front desk.

"People want to see a police officer not speak on the phone or by email.

"Cllr Mirfin's figures show that Ribble Valley is being short-changed."

Cllr Mirfin said: "Ribble Valley residents pay £27.27 more per head than their neighbours in Blackburn who receive more policing resources.

"It's a Rip Off! At least Dick Turpin wore a mask. Ribble Valley residents deserve their fair share."

Mr Grunshaw said: "I welcome Mr Evans' recognition of the growing demands on policing.

"The Ribble Valley does not see as high a level of crime as the other areas of the county.

"Residents in the Ribble Valley have been voting with their feet with fewer than four a day reporting incidents at the front counter in Clitheroe.

"After eight years of austerity Lancashire Constabulary has had to find £84m in savings.

"I hope Mr Evans will join me in calling for proper resourcing for the police."