The one-man station covers the Spalding district while also providing support for surrounding areas, and its closure would leave the small town of just over 300 district residents at least half an hour away from police support – providing responses are immediate.

Liberal Opposition Police Shadow Minister David Ridgeway said it wouldn’t surprise him if the closure were being planned.

“The Labor Government has total disregard for regional communities. The closure of the Spalding police station is likely to have a ripple effect on the rest of the community.

“A visible police presence in our communities is the best deterrent for bad behaviour, and we (Liberals) certainly won’t support the closure,” Mr Ridgeway said.

“I will be asking questions to the minister regarding this.”

Northern Areas Council chief executive officer Keith Hope was also shocked to hear about the rumour but said it did not come as a surprise.

“There are a few instances of problems with policing in the region,” he said.

Mr Hope said he had been told that, particularly in areas such as Gladstone and Laura, local officers were frequently called to visit other towns when police were away, taking them away from their “post”.

“What you get is that kids doing burnouts in Laura are long gone by the time police arrive.

“You ring the police, and the call is diverted to Port Pirie and then they get on to the Gladstone officer, who may be in Booleroo and by the time he can get back to Laura the kids have disappeared.”

Mr Hope said there had been an increase in levels of vandalism in the region.

“It is almost as though there is a lessening of police presence which is providing a green light for a minority of troublemakers to seize the opportunity to do what they want.

“Taking an officer away from Spalding will only create more problems. It might solve some short term funding for the Government, but whether it will lead to safer rural communities is yet to be seen - the jury is still out on that one.”