HAMPSHIRE Constabulary has announced sweeping changes to policing in Whitchurch and Overton.

Sergeant Shaun Stinson, from the Rural Safer Neighbourhood team, attended Whitchurch Town Council last week where he revealed plans for new policing structures throughout the Basingstoke Rural area.

The plans, which are set to be rolled out from April 1 this year, will see the current nine geographical policing areas combined into three larger areas, with the Southern third covering both Whitchurch and Overton.

There will also be a Western section, which will represent areas such as Kingsclere, and an Eastern section, which will be responsible for Tadley and the surrounding villages.

Sergeant Stinson said the whole rural beat will be covered by seven officers and 10 PCSOs as well as two Country Watch officers and one Country Watch PCSO.

All units will start their shift at the main rural policing base at Tadley, where they will be briefed before moving to their beats.

The plans represent a small overall rise in staffing numbers with the area gaining two employees, but will result in the loss of four officers.

Sergeant Stinson defended the changes in the face of concern from councillors.

He said: “It’s not brilliant but it’s what we have got.

“We have had a lot of cuts over the last few years, but these changes will allow us to provide the best service we can with the officers that we have.

“It will be a big change for the PCSOs who will now focus on community work which will allow our PCs to go back to what they should be doing, which is tackling crime.”

Town councillors raised concerns about basing all units at Tadley, with councillor Barry Jackman asking if Hampshire Constabulary had considered placing officers at Whitchurch Town Hall.

Sergeant Stinson said that the force was looking into options and were “in discussions” with Hampshire Fire and Rescue service about sharing facilities.