AN 'unchecked retreat from front line policing' is how Cornwall councillor Andrew Long has described cuts which will see the public access part of Callington police station close next month.

The Callington representative on the council is concerned about how the closure of the town police station front desk will affect South East Cornwall policing as a whole.

'It appears that the police are now in headlong retreat from providing a front-line service that is community-based,' he said.

'The response vehicles will now come from Bodmin, and our nearest manned station will be either Liskeard, Launceston or Plymouth. This is a very dangerous step for the police to take.

'Callington has experienced one of the lowest crime rates across Cornwall and the UK and it is no coincidence that it is linked to the amazing work done by our local force based in Callington.

A total of 34 stations in Devon and Cornwall are closing to the public and many are having their hours reduced as part of plans to reduce the force budget. Some 700 police officers and support staff are also to go.

Cllr Long said the local sergeant would have to cover Saltash for part of his work, and there would only be one inspector to cover the whole of the border region from Bude to the Rame Peninsula.

'The response vehicles will have to be sent from Bodmin or Plymouth in an emergency and I can only see a decrease in cover for places like Callington and the rural villages that surround us.

'I urge the chief constable to re-think this dangerous move. I would like him to come and talk to representatives in the town to explain just how he thinks that these changes will continue to safeguard the tax-paying members of the local community and will be writing officially to him to request an urgent meeting,' he added.

The Callington force area also covers the parishes of Calstock, Stoke Climsland, South Hill and parts of St Dominick, Linkinhorne and St Ive parishes. The public access desk will close on May 10.

A police spokesperson said members of the public would still be able to make appointments to speak to police officers at the local station and could use the telephone on the wall outside the station in emergencies.

The force said that modern methods of communicating had seen more people use the telephone and internet to report crime and dedicated neighbourhood teams and regular PACT meetings gave more links between the community and police.