THE suggestion that Winchester might lose its police station as part of cutbacks will raise concerns.

Certainly there is an argument that a community of such a size should not be left without such a service.

That the station would merge and be based in the city fire station, as the proposal under consideration states, will be of some comfort. Yet these closures are now common in communities.

Compare however these discussions with this week’s debate over bank branches earmarked for closure in local high streets.

This brings forth demands that there should not be a community left without at least one branch open for business.

How we square the apparently essential requirement for a bank branch with the non- essential need for a police station is for our communities to decide.