POLICE stations in Hampshire could face closure as part of a major cost cutting exercise by county chiefs.

The force is bracing itself for a raft of cuts as Westminster lines up an efficiency drive and funding cutbacks.

But the constabulary has already prepared a report outlining where it could reduce costs, which could include some stations being closed.

Hampshire Police Authority members were told how stations might be replaced by moving in with other public sector bodies – such as running a police inquiry desk at a council building.

The report said: “We must consider moving from the current position of occupying a large number of sites and buildings, many of which are in poor condition, to a future where fewer buildings in better condition can provide the right service to the public at reduced cost.”

It added: “The constabulary and authority will need to manage the rationalisation of estate carefully and will no doubt encounter fierce opposition where any community feels that they are losing a police station.”

The news comes after the Daily Echo revealed how Hampshire police had been ordered to make £3m cuts from their main grant which is used to pay for frontline officers, to help sort out the national debt.

A further £300,000 will also be reclaimed by the government from the force’s capital pot which is used for buildings and equipment.

Policing minister Nick Herbert made the announcement last month and said it would be up to constabulary bosses where that money would be saved.

Hampshire Police federation, which represents rank and file officers, said the force had to adapt to change – and closing police stations wouldn’t mean a loss of visible policing in a local community.

Chairman John Apter said; “It’s about being contactable, working with other agencies and ensuring the public face of policing is still visible. As a community I think we need to look further ahead – but having police stations everywhere doesn’t mean we’re automatically giving the best service.”

Authority member, Cllr Adrian Collett, suggested that having police and council staff under the same roof might provide benefits so people who weren’t “being sent three miles” from one place to the other.

Hampshire Constabulary is yet to say how many stations, or which ones, might close. It is expecting to get firm financial figures from Westminster next week.

Chief Constable Alex Marshall said he would be part of a delegation that plans to visit the home secretary Theresa May on Monday.

Cllr Jacqui Rayment, who chairs the authority, said she accepted that the financial report was still “a work in progress”.