POLICE were today branded "reckless" and "irresponsible" for suggesting Burgess Hill's police station could be closed.

Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames also said shutting it could result in more crime in the area.

But police say the change could improve the service they provide in the town.

A review of policing suggested the station at The Brow should shut and that staff should work from Haywards Heath, four miles away.

The move would raise about £500,000 from the sale of the site and save thousands in running costs.

Civic leaders have already expressed concern and insist there should be some police stationed in the town.

Mr Soames said: "In a town the size of Burgess Hill, the police station is an essential part of community life and to even consider closing it down is reckless and irresponsible."

The MP congratulated the Argus for highlighting the issue and urged people in the town to make their views known.

Mr Soames said he had written to Insp Roy Apps, one of the officers reviewing the future of the station, to stress the importance of keeping a police presence in the town.

He added: "The police have said that they want to gauge public opinion before taking any decisions, and we must leave them with little doubt of our strength of feeling. If Burgess Hill police station is closed there will inevitably be a much reduced police presence in the town.

"The likely result will be an increases in crime. This is unacceptable."

Sector inspector for Sussex Police Geoff Thomas said: "There is no intention of removing a police presence from Burgess Hill.

"Any decision to close the police station would involve full consultation with the public.

"There would be provision of new, more economic facilities in line with Sussex Police estates strategy, bringing the police closer to the community whilst providing an improved quality of service."

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