IT IS a matter of confidence.

At the heart of the debate over how many buildings Hampshire police decide to maintain lies the simple truth that residents feel safer when they know there is a police station nearby.

They are a symbol of protection and assistance in the heart of communities, even when their use as a base for mobile forces has past its sell-by date.

That is why Hampshire police must tread carefully if they decide to close or scale down the police station in Eastleigh, as this paper reports today. In a bid to meet budget cuts running into millions, the force is looking at all options. And it is correct that a review of buildings should be part of that cost-cutting initiative.

But police stations are more than just bricks and mortar; they are seen by communities as more than a place where police officers carry out paperwork. Even in this age of easy communication, the siting of a station in the heart of communities underscores the presence of the force and helps to allay fears of abandonment.

As with all police forces, Hampshire Constabulary seek to achieve a balance between image and ability.

The force may decide the benefits from moving from old buildings outweigh the downsides. They will have to work hard to reassure communities if such moves are decided upon, however.