MALMESBURY is to lose police officers in a shake-up by the Wiltshire force.

The "blue light" response teams based at Malmesbury and Cricklade are being withdrawn to Wootton Bassett this month, at the same time as neighbourhood policing teams are being introduced.

Civic leaders have responded angrily to the move and fear the town is being denuded of vital emergency services when its population is growing fast.

Last week it was revealed the ambulance station was definitely going to close and there have been doubts over the future of the fire station for some time.

Town councillor Martyn Snell said he first heard rumblings about the change six months ago.

He told the Standard: "The writing has been on the wall for several years that this type of thing was going to happen."

"The police are supposed to be giving us best value and they are not giving us best value if they come up with stupid schemes such as this."

He said Malmesbury was a victim of its low crime rate, because without adequate policing it would become vulnerable to criminals in the future.

"The only way we can retain these public services is by keeping up public pressure," he added.

Fears have been voiced that the bank of local intelligence built up by officers currently based in Malmesbury will be lost within a couple of years and that western border areas of the division could be left without adequate cover at night.

Two neighbourhood teams have been formed to cover the town and neighbouring rural areas. They include PCs as well as PCSOs and the force has stressed they will be called in to deal with incidents if they are closest.

But although police chiefs have stressed the Malmesbury area will be patrolled, the nearest back-up could now be a 25-minute drive away.

Local county councillor John Thomson is also concerned. But he has been told the situation is for a trial period and will be closely monitored.

He said: "I'm not convinced. The fact that it is going to be watched for review and adjustment is a good sign.

"They are looking into the situation of the response team being based at Wootton Bassett because of the large mass of area that there is in North Wiltshire."

The changes are being driven from central government and there is opposition within the ranks of Wiltshire Constabulary.

Mr Thomson said: "They are doing their best with the resources they have."

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