Four police stations could be shut and sold in plans to shake up policing in the borough.

The stations in Esher, Cobham, East Molesey and Walton have all been threatened with closure as part of the Surrey Police Authority’s (SPA) Operation Policing Review.

The Surrey Comet understands the authority believes the stations are wasting money and underused but, because of their prime real estate locations, also potentially lucrative for the force if sold.

However, MP for Esher and Walton, Dominic Raab, has written to SPA chairman Peter Williams, warning him the plans could leave the borough with a diminished police presence.

He urged Mr Williams to consider keeping Esher police station open and use the money from the sale of the others to upgrade its facilities.

One idea being considered by the SPA is to replace the stations with police “hubs” in town centres, using libraries or community halls.

The police argue these would be more accessible and visible to the public, while the money saved could put more police on the streets.

Larger stations in other parts of the county, such as those in Guildford and Staines, would remain open as regional centres.

Mr Raab told the Surrey Comet: “It is vital the review strengthens visible, accessible and responsive policing in Elmbridge.

“I appreciate the review may encompass some of the older local stations. But if any are sold off, it must be properly justified – and that can only be to increase the number of officers on the beat in Elmbridge.”

Ken Purssey, a volunteer at Cobham police station, said more thought had to be put into alternatives if the stations were sold.

He said: “My fear is, if they sell off the family silver, where will the money go?

“It’s got to be researched thoroughly, rather than the stations being sold quickly to make money. It’s asset stripping and I don’t agree with asset stripping.”

Hazel Banting, who set up campaign group More Police in Molesey in 1998, said the closures were inevitable, but “worse than a war crime”.

She said: “People in Molesey fought so hard to get that station in Molesey re-opened and if it’s sold, it is gone forever. It is not a privilege to have a police station, it is essential.”

She described it as a losing battle and said selling stations was short-sighted as they would be left with nowhere to turn in two years when they needed more money.

She said: “We just know something very bad is going to happen. There is a black cloud hanging over Molesey.”

Surrey Police Authority said residents would be consulted in October and November, but emphasised no decisions had been made.