ANDOVER'S police division, which boasts the lowest crime rate in Hampshire, is to be merged with Eastleigh - whose divisional headquarters are some 25 miles away.

Andover division, which covers large parts of Test Valley including Andover, Stockbridge and Weyhill, will become part of the same division as Eastleigh, Hedge End, Romsey, Netley and Hamble from April of next year.

This week residents are being reassured the move won't mean a fall in the standards or levels of policing in Andover and district.

Supt Mark Chatterton, divisional commander for Andover, said: "There will be no change in the actual policing service to Andover at all. It's mainly to do with council boundaries being drawn together and also to review management structures in the force. There's no anticipation of any change in staffing levels at Andover police station or in service to the public."

Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed that the move will not result in any police station closures or any reduction in police serving the areas.

The number of civilian support staff directly affected by the changes will be minimal.

The designated divisional commander for the merged Eastleigh and Andover division is Supt Ann Wakefield, currently divisional commander at Eastleigh.

A consultation process is now underway to inform local authorities, the police authority and other interested parties of the plans.

Chief constable Paul Kernaghan said: "For some time it has been clear that some of the divisions in the force are too small.

They are out of step with national trends for bigger policing areas and find it much more difficult to resource and effectively run policing initiatives than larger ones.

As part of the Hampshire Constabulary restructure, Fareham and Gosport divisions will also join together.