THE closure of Ottery police station’s front desk is a blow for station enquiry officer Tracey Coletti.

Tracey joined Devon and Cornwall Police in 1998 and became an SEO in 2000. When the Ottery station was relocated last year she was asked to cover the front desk on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

She said: “Myself and my colleagues are all very sad at the news. We feel the personal and caring service we’ve offered will no longer be available.”

Her designated station, Honiton, will remain open. She said: “Staff at Honiton, Sidmouth, Seaton and Axminster will eventually be made redundant and have to apply for a job at one of the remaining stations.”

Across Devon and Cornwall, 34 front desks will close by June, following a major review of the service. It will save the force �5.4m over the next four years.

East Devon inspector Antonia Weekes said: “In recent years we’ve seen a significant reduction in the number of people using the enquiry offices. Ninety per cent of crimes are reported over the phone.”