And although the Northern Argus went with a rumour this week, any suggestion to close or reduce numbers at a rural police station is cause for community concern and worth talking about.

There have been changes in the past which have seen our communities worse off as a result of State government cuts and rationalisations.

And if we wait until a rumour becomes fact before bringing it to a community’s attention, then it is often too late to reverse a decision made by city-based bureaucrats.

Frome MP Geoff Brock already has his own concerns regarding the level of policing in the region.

He’s put together a series of questions to the Police Minister asking about SA Police policy on backfilling vacancies created by planned and unplanned leave.

Clare police, for example, have one officer who has been on extended maternity leave on and off for the past year or so.

Unable to have a new permanent staff member appointed, local police are assisted by a rotating team of “fill in” officers.

And although this may make up the numbers it doesn’t build any bridges with the local community.

And just when a relief officer gets to know what’s what in the district they move on.

Police are already spread pretty thinly on the ground throughout the Mid North and the threat or even the rumour of a closure is bound to get everyone concerned.

Spalding is a town in isolation - at least half an hour’s drive away from other communities.

As one community member commented, the idea of having a police officer based in the town is of immeasurable comfort to small communities.

Removing a police presence will only put more stress on neighbouring personnel and is bound to result in a gradual increase in vandalism and hoon behaviour.

But once a town loses an officer there is no going back. No matter which political party comes into power they rarerly reverse fiscal decisions made by the previous government.

And let’s face it, any reduction in police numbers would be solely for financial reasons and would have nothing to do with concerns for rural communities.

The Minister says there are no plans to close Spalding police station – we’re glad to hear it. We’ll also be watching what happens next year.