FORGET plastic policemen, these cardboard coppers have caused a stir at Christchurch police station.

Their eye-catching appearance in a ground floor window at the Barrack Road station comes just days before the station is closed to the public on Sunday.

Dorset Police announced last week that Christchurch was among eight police stations to close their doors to the public for good.

Counter provision at Winton, Ferndown, Wareham, Shaftesbury and Dorchester will also come to a halt.

The news came as latest figures show fear of crime is rising among residents in Christchurch despite the number of recorded incidents falling.

But Cllr Bernie Davis, portfolio holder for community, insisted the borough would always have a police presence.

Cllr Davis, who is a retired police officer, told the Daily Echo: “Safer Neighbourhood Teams will remain in Christchurch. There will always be their presence in the town, even if the police station goes.

“There is some talk it could go to the Civic Offices or the Fire Station.

“But this will only happen when there is a decision on the Bargates development.”

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

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

Mr Underhill 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.