HAMPSHIRE'S top cop was today being told not to cut the number of police in the New Forest town that needs them the most.

Civic chiefs were making the plea at a meeting with Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan, who wants to merge the Lymington and New Milton police sectors.

If the plan goes ahead, New Milton's police station will be downgraded and the town's top cop, Inspector John Heath, will transfer to Lymington.

The merger has angered New Milton residents, who say the area has seen a sharp rise in crime and antisocial behaviour.

Today's meeting was being attended by Mel Kendal, leader of New Forest District Council, Goff Beck, the council's Cabinet member for crime and disorder, and Superintendent Barry Talbot, head of New Forest police.

Councillor Kendal said: "The government promised extra police for the New Forest.

"However, the Chief Constable's reorganisation means the district will lose a total of ten officers - and hardest hit will be New Milton.

"Crime in the Forest is generally low, but New Milton is one of the more troublesome areas.

"There have been several assaults and incidents of affray in Ashley and north Milton, which has also seen a lot of yobbish behaviour and vandalism."

Earlier this month, hundreds of New Milton residents marched through the town centre in protest at plans to downgrade the police station.

They also hit out at moves to axe five police posts in the district on top of the five that were lost last year.

Just days later, the Daily Echo revealed that the New Forest's biggest town, Totton, is set to lose its CID unit later this year.

Detectives will be merged with the plain-clothes squad at Hythe, in a move that has caused widespread anger.