BRIDPORT'S police enquiry desk will now be closed four days a week in a move that has shocked the town's community figures and residents.

The police station's front desk had been saved from closure just a few months ago, but opening hours have been axed in the latest round of spending cuts carried out by Dorset Police.

Changes came into effect on March 1 and the desk will now only open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm.

This will mean residents living in places further west, like Lyme Regis, will now have to travel an hour to speak face-to-face with staff in Weymouth if they want to report incidents when the Bridport desk is shut.

Local figures have said the decision will have a negative impact on people that rely on the service.

Lyme Regis town councillor Cheryl Reynolds said when she called 101 to report an incident involving her car and another vehicle which didn't stop, she was asked to attend her nearest station - Bridport - with her driver's licence.

She said the decision would make it even more difficult for west Dorset residents to report crime when they are required to attend the station in person, saying: "It's pretty bad - people need to see someone for certain crimes. Some things do get sorted out by calling 101 but it just seems that we are out on a limb in Lyme.

"Officers said at the Lyme Regis residents' association if they were at the station they couldn't be out doing things, so there are two sides to every story. But it's not so good, and it is sad they have to make these cuts."

WDDC councillor David Tett said: I'm very disappointed that yet another public service is to be withdrawn. 

"However, this is no more than expected and follows the many cuts in in services. Closing down and mothballing all these [services] will have a negative effect."

Bridport Town Council leader Sarah Williams said of the closure: "It was always going to be cut but at least we have an open enquiry desk, because other police station desks have had to be closed completely.

"I think it's a positive story that we have retained some opening hours, which is really important because of how far west we are." 

She added: "From what I understand the PCC wants to get volunteers to keep the desk open, and Bridport Town Council will continue to work with the police to help improve the service." 

Dorset Police stressed that there will still be officers on the beat in the local area, and that the decision comes after their survey revealed three-quarters of respondents preferred to call police on 101 to report an incident.

In a statement, Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “I think it is really important to remember that, originally, the Force announced the proposal to close 12 out of the 15 front office counters, and as a result of my intervention and the public’s engagement throughout a yearlong consultation we are now closing six.

“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.”