Police stations at Diss, Attleborough, Wymondham, Long Stratton and Harleston are to lose their 999 response teams. They are among 29 out of 35 stations across Norfolk to be affected by a major shake-up in the way the county's police respond to emergencies.

Police stations at Diss, Attleborough, Wymondham, Long Stratton and Harleston are to lose their 999 response teams.

They are among 29 out of 35 stations across Norfolk to be affected by a major shake-up in the way the county's police respond to emergencies. And it means victims of crime will no longer be visited by their local bobby when they dial 999, officers from urban centres being called out instead.

Senior officers moved to reassure the public about the decision to cut the number of response stations, which despatch teams to 999 calls, from 35 to six: Norwich, Yarmouth, King's Lynn, Thetford, Fakenham and Aylsham. At the same time, chief constable Ian McPherson confirmed he had secured funding for 140 new officers and the changes would free up another 100.

Most of these extra officers will go on the beat.

He said the response team review would not compromise the service to the public and the moves aimed to improve the service in crime hotspots. But some rank-and-file officers fear they could leave isolated areas exposed at various gaps throughout the day, such as shift change-overs each morning and evening.

Safer neighbourhood teams will still operate from the affected bases, and the extra officer numbers will actually see more bodies at each station. Response teams will be supported by armed officers and road policing units.

Norfolk Police Federation chairman Malcolm Sneesby said: “Response teams aim to provide an immediate response to all genuine 999 calls. In urban areas this usually means within 10 minutes and in rural areas within 20. Our concern is whether officers will be able to main-tain that level of service, given that Norfolk's road network does not lend itself to travelling long distances in a short space of time.”

Latest Diss police station public inquiry office opening hours are: tomorrow, 8am to 6pm and 7 to 9pm; Saturday, 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm; Sunday, closed; Monday, 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm; Tuesday, 8am to 6pm and 7 to 9pm; Wednesday, 8am to 1pm, 2 to 6pm and 7 to 9pm; Thursday 8am to 1pm and 2 to 4pm.