THE front office at Eastleigh Police Station is to be shut down.

Hampshire Police has confirmed the enquiry office at the station in the town centre will close from Monday.

It leaves Eastleigh residents facing a 4.5mile-journey to speak face to face to a police officer, as the nearest enquiry office will be the one in Portswood, Southampton.

Hampshire Police said the decision to close the front office in Eastleigh comes as a result of analysis of public engagement at all station offices.

A spokesperson added: “The number of visitors to the station enquiry offices mean that keeping these enquiry offices open full-time cannot be justified.

“There is an increasing preference to contact the police by phone or other electronic devices, however we recognise a need to continue to provide face to face contact for those who may require it.

“All of our police stations also have a telephone outside which can be used to contact our force enquiry centre.”

But John Apter, chairman of Hampshire Police Federation, blamed cuts to the policing budget for the closure.

He said: “It’s important that we make it as easy as possible for the public to have access to the police.

“The closure of Eastleigh police station front office makes it more difficult, especially for the elderly or those who suffer with mobility.

“It’s the public who suffer.”

Wayne Irish, borough councillor for Eastleigh Central ward, said: “It’s going to be difficult for people to contact the police.

“I don’t think this has been thought through.”

Eastleigh MP Mims Davies said: “A number of residents have raised concerns over local crime with me recently, and I met with Chief Inspector Miller to discuss these reports with him.”

Cllr Keith House, leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, blamed the police commissioner, adding: “There will now be no police facility in the borough open to the public for the first time in 100 years.

“Telling people they should go to Portswood... is really not good enough.”