PUBLIC visiting hours at Whitefield Police Station could be reduced as part of cost-cutting plans.

The Government is poised to reduce Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) budget by a total of £157 million over the next four years, though no figure has been confirmed by Home Secretary Theresa May.

Any budget reduction would follow a £175 million budget reduction already implemented since 2011 and senior officers are under pressure to balance the books.

The force's new Chief Constable Ian Hopkins told The Guide last Thursday that his staff would study visitor numbers at several police stations and look at withdrawing the counter services at times when they are currently underused.

Whitefield Police Station, in Bury New Road, is currently open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday.

Ch Con Hopkins said that a video conference facility could be installed at the station entrance, so visitors can see and talk to a member of staff at Bury Police Station, when the Whitefield enquiry desk is shut.

He said: "We have to look at the numbers on when people are coming.

"I think people would agree that it does not make sense having a member of staff on the front counter when no one is coming in.

"In spite of this, we recognise that everyone who works at our stations are hard working and dedicated and a decision will only be taken once a full process has been completed."

In 2011, GMP closed 33 inquiry desks across the county, including the one at Prestwich Police Station in Fairfax Road.

Police data showed that an average of 15 people visited the station each week.

Ch Con Hopkins also outlined plans for GMP to follow in the footsteps of Surrey Police by allowing people to report non-emergency crime online in the near future.

"The trial they have done there shows that it has saved 6,000 officer hours a month. That time can be spent investigating and preventing crime and make us more efficient as a force," he said.

Officers, he said, could be given iPhones and iPads to take out on the beat with them as soon as April.

"It would allow officers to, for example, take statements from people and get them to sign them there and then, rather than having to spend several days over it. Again, this would free up officer time," added Ch Con Hopkins.