EIGHT police stations in Dorset will close their doors to the public for good within two weeks, it has been revealed.

Chief Constable Debbie Simpson and Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill made the shock announcement this morning.

And Mr Underhill described the decision as “one of the most challenging faced by Dorset Police” since he was elected.

So-called counter provision at Christchurch, Winton, Ferndown, Wareham, Shaftesbury and Dorchester police stations will close on March 1.

Temporary closures at Verwood and Wimborne, which came into effect last summer, will be made permanent.

The changes have been announced following a lengthy consultation period.

Offices were identified as “under-utilised” with some visited by as few as seven members of the public per day, said police.

A further six offices have been saved but the revised closures, originally planned for September, will now be pushed through before the end of this financial year.

Dorset Police said the closures will save £300,000, the equivalent of six front line officers or 10 Police Community Support Officers.

Debbie Simpson said: “Changes of this nature are understandably emotive and we continue to work with our partners to ensure that we meet our true demand within our budget constraints.

"Unfortunately, that simply means we can’t maintain such a costly and under-used service at the expense of other local policing.

“We have listened carefully to members of the public and retained services where they are most needed. Closing front counters does not mean that a police station is closed and officers continue to work in each area.

“The opening of community contact points later this year will be just one of the alternative ways that members of the public can get in touch with us in the future.”

She said Dorset Police is now consulting with local councils and others in a bid to provide alternative contact points for the public.

The contact points will be introduced throughout the summer in community locations such as libraries, community centres and council offices.

They will provide online services, 101 telephone access and crime prevention information. Full details of local contact points will be announced once final arrangements are in place.

The Chief Constable stressed that although front counter services are being closed, the stations themselves will remain open and officers will continue to patrol the area.

Mr Underhill added: “This decision has been one of the most challenging faced by Dorset Police since I was elected as Dorset’s PCC and, needless to say, it is not one that has been taken lightly.”

He added: “I know that six front office counters are six too many, but we have to meet our cuts somewhere when we are losing 20 per cent of our budget.”

Surveys indicate that three-quarters of the public prefer to contact Dorset Police by telephone and improvements have already been made to the 101 non-emergency service. Work is also underway to develop the Dorset Police website.