Pc Alison Packer is being relocated to Stratford and will not be replaced - a move which has angered town mayor Les Hewer.

She was drafted in to help cover Southam and surrounding villages in August when a colleague, Pc Steve Hill, was transferred to Wellesbourne.

The decision to move her again just four months later is part of the ‘150 Forward’ policing plan to help the cash-strapped Warwickshire force provide cover in the face of a £10 million funding shortage.

But when the ‘150’ blueprint was revealed in July, Chief Constable Keith Bristow assured Warwick-shire residents that although some officers might be lost when units such as armed response, dog handlers and terrorism were centralised - no front-line officers would go.

Coun Hewer said: “Sou-tham has been let down again, despite promises by the chief constable that this wouldn’t happen.

“They obviously feel there is a shortage of officers in other areas, but we definitely need a replacement.”

The Safer Neighbour-hood Team at Southam police station will now consist of two police constables, two community support officers and Sgt Mandy Crust - who is currently on leave.

They are responsible for an area of more than 100 square miles, which includes Southam, Long Itchington, Stockton, Napton, Fenny Compton and Harbury.

Coun Hewer added: “We have two excellent community support officers, but they don’t have the same powers as constables - they need more powers.

“What has happened to the bobby on the beat? In 1962 when I moved here there was one inspector, two sergeants and six constables and the station was manned 24-hours, seven-days a-week.

“There also used to be police houses in Long Itchington, Stockton, Napton and Bishops Itchington.”

Southam resident Debbie Carro said: “We have got issues in the town to do with nuisance youths and my feeling is that police need to be seen to stop the problems happening, but if they are going to be diluted that won’t happen.”

Deputy director of local policing for Warwickshire Chief Super Neil Brunton said: “One of the key parts of our new ‘150’ programme is to ensure that our resources are in the correct place to deliver the best harm protection for our communities. As a result, there are a number of moves for personnel throughout the force.

“In respect of Southam they are in real terms having growth in their policing response supported by improved specialist reso-urces and intelligence-led offender management.”