MONEY-SAVING plans to shut seven police stations in Essex will go ahead if cops deem a pilot scheme in Tiptree a success.

A three-month trial has seen Tiptree’s 13 police officers move into the village's fire station and library.

A further seven police stations have been shortlisted to be merged, including Brightlingsea, West Mersea and Wivenhoe.

The pilot scheme, which ended on Sunday, will now be evaluated.

A public meeting will be held for residents in the village on November 14 and the project board will make a final decision on whether the move will be permanent on November 29.

If it agrees to the move, the other stations will close without trial periods.

Chief Supt Alison Newcomb, divisional commander for Colchester and Tendring, said: “Reaction has been mixed and there is opposition from some parish councillors and members of the local community, but a lot of local people understand the need for it and accept Essex Police is, because of the financial climate, unable to maintain the building we have got.

“If the Tiptree pilot is approved, we will look to do the same thing in the other seven locations – there won’t be further pilots.”

Tiptree fire station is not open to the public, but officers manned a desk at Tiptree Library every Saturday between 1am and 1pm.

Mrs Newcomb said: “The officers have been used to having their own space and it is a huge building, but the top floor was hardly used.

“Essex Police cannot continue to maintain all these buildings.

“While the seven police stations could close, there will not be a reduction in the level of service or police officers working in that location “ John Elliott, chairman of Tiptree Parish Council, says no stations should be closed until residents are consulted. He said: “I have spoken to both police and fire officers and they are not particularly happy about it .

“Tiptree is a retained fire station so the accommodation is not as good as that at a normal fire station.

“They really must consult with the public before they close stations elsewhere as that did upset people in Tiptree.”

The other police stations at risk are in Ongar, Waltham Abbey, Saffron Walden and Stansted Mountfitchet.