POLICE stations in Dorset are under threat as a result of the government spending review, it has been revealed.

Dorset Chief Constable Debbie Simpson warned that additional cuts would lead to reductions in building and vehicle stock and reduced operating hours in frontline offices.

The news has led to fears that stations like Boscombe’s face renewed danger of closure or relocation.

Police forces nationally will suffer a 4.9 per cent cut to the Home Office policing grant for 2015/16, on top of the 20 per cent announced over the three years to 2014/15, chancellor George Osborne told MPs.

The chief constable said: “The announcement equates to further considerable cuts from the force’s budget. It is therefore inevitable that additional, significant, cuts will need to be made to the force’s infrastructure and support services.

“While we have done everything possible to protect frontline services, further cuts will, without doubt, start to impinge on our operational capability.”

Dorset Police Federation chairman Clive Chamberlain said the cuts were “almost tantamount to aiding and abetting criminals”.

“The only thing you get for less is less,” he said. “There will clearly be a lot more job losses as a result of this. The only thing which will rise is the number of complaints we get for officers turning up late.

“This is a serious threat to the capabilities of the police and politicians need to justify it.”

Boscombe police station, which does not have a custody suite or walk-in reception, faced closure in a savings drive in early 2011 after the first round of cuts were announced.

Ward councillor Chris Wakefield said: “I would be very unhappy if Dorset Police were looking to close Boscombe station. They need to keep a substantial, building-based police presence here and I have been assured this will remain the case.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be where it is in Gloucester Road – somewhere with more footfall where people can walk in would be ideal.”