A PILOT scheme by Hampshire police which aims to bring the police to the public has been extended.

The mobile police station scheme was piloted in February and March in areas across the county including Greatham, Lindford, Headley and Headley Down.

Residents who have trouble getting to Whitehill police station are able to report crimes, get advice and speak to police officers personally at the mobile unit.

The two officers, who man the station on overtime, have a direct link to the force enquiry centre in Winchester during their visit to the villages on alternate Wednesdays.

Inspector Gerry Thorne told The Herald that the scheme has been a success so far, with the public visiting to report crimes to the two officers.

ÒIt looks as though trials will continue into the next year,Ó he said.

Residents in the Kingsley and Selborne areas are visited by a van staffed by officers from Alton police station.

The van is one of three in Hampshire which has been specifically converted, using some of the cash allocated from the governmentÕs rural crime-fighting fund, which totalled £220,000.

The initiative follows the closure of rural police houses in a large number of villages, where in the past residents would have been able to pay their beat officer a visit.