­THE announcement that Bude and Launceston police enquiry offices will close by the end of October has been criticised by authority figures who feel it will leave communities feeling vulnerable and frustrated. People who want to speak to a police officer face-to-face will have to travel to Bodmin and Barnstaple, after Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed enquiry offices at Launceston and Bude are to close. The force announced earlier this year that police enquiry offices were under review, but proposals to axe 27 police enquiry officers (PEOs) and close all, but ten front desks in Devon and Cornwall were confirmed last week. The cuts will save the force around £760,000 per year, but there are concerns the public will lose confidence in the police service. The 101-number will replace the face-to-face service, which is likely to be lost at the end of October when the enquiry offices are expected to close. Mayor of Launceston Dave Gordon said it was a 'retrograde step' made by the force. "This is naturally very bad news for Launceston. We are constantly being told that the public should feel safe in our community, but this move will not help our community in feeling safe. "I fully appreciate that the force has to make savings in its budget, imposed by central government, but in my view this cost-cutting measure is a retrograde step." For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.