A NEW police counter for the public will open in Kidlington today, as Thames Valley Police moves to shut the village police station to save cash.

The new front counter service will open at the force’s headquarters in Oxford Road near to the current Kidlington police station which is due to close next month to save £26,300 per year.

The service will be open from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday – up on the current hours of 10am to 2pm.

Superintendent Colin Paine, commander for West Oxfordshire and Cherwell, said: “This is great news for residents of Kidlington. They will keep police front counter services and it will be open an extra 25 hours per week.

“Closing and replacing inefficient police stations is part of Thames Valley Police’s commitment to protect frontline policing.”

He added: “I would like to reassure residents that the availability and visibility of police officers to attend incidents in their areas will be not be affected by these changes.”

The counters will be staffed by officers and can be used for services including reporting road collisions and presenting driving documents.

Last March, the force unveiled plans to axe and replace police buildings across the county to help save £839,000.