Thames Valley Police have published proposals to close the Tilehurst Police Box and Aveley Walk office in Katesgrove, as part of a review of reducing the cost of its neighbourhood estates.

The shocking revelation could see both offices shut by 2016. Also flagged up are the Cemetery Junction, Oxford Road and Caversham police offices for potential disposal and replacement, alongside Reading Police Station and the Lyon Square office.

Borough deputy leader Cllr Tony Page accused the police of using the review to try to gain some capital and demanded that urban areas like Reading be consulted on the future of the offices.

He said: “My fear is this is essentially driven by the property people looking to flog off as many premises as possible, reduce their overall budget and make some capital.

“I fear this is a property review that is determining the outcome of a review of neighbourhood policing. That would be extremely worrying.”

The only two offices not under review for closure, according to the agenda of the Police and Crime Panel’s last meeting on Friday, September 19, are the Three Mile Cross traffic Base and Oracle office.

Cllr Page said the announcement came as a complete surprise to members of the panel. He added: “There has not been a decision, but my anxiety is we need to see the proper context of the review.

“There is a danger it would be done in a fairly ad hoc and disjointed fashion. My fear is the importance of the role of an office like Oxford Road has never been fully realised.”

West Reading residents have been up in arms about the lack of police presence at the Oxford Road office, despite a £14,000 refurbishment including lockers and bike racks.

Oxford Road Neighbourhood Action Group chairwoman Teresa Colliass said: “We are very concerned with the lack of visible policing on the Oxford Road. I think we all feel quite strongly about it.”

The proposals are part of region-wide cost-cutting plans which include closing Reading Police Station by 2018 to save £327,000 a year as well as selling its Theale Office to save £24,000 a year.

The panel agenda stated: “Retaining expensive sites is not sustainable to reduce estate cost materially.”