Newtown Police Station 'safe' in review

Newtown Police Station is likely to remain open to public enquiries while Welshpool's could be closed and alternative methods of accessing police services considered.

Dyfed Powys Police is undertaking a review into public access to its services after it said the way the public contacted them had changed and the number of people visiting police stations had reduced. It is now looking at mobile police stations, increased use of data equipment by police officers on the beat, holding additional police surgeries and working with partners agencies to engage with the public.

A review has been set up to look at public enagagement, although its admits that it is looking to make savings as its budget is cut.

The news comes as a number of police stations in Montgomeryshire have closed or had reduced hours imposed. However, it cites Welshpool as one of two police stations under review which could mean alternative methods of public access to policing in the town instead of visiting the police station itself. Newtown isn't included in the review.

"The Review reveals people have changed how they contact the police and fewer people are attending police stations, a trend the force foresees is likely to increase in future due to changes in people’s behaviour and developments in new technology used by the force. Statistics show a low number of people visiting stations," according to Dyfed-Powys Police.

"The force is developing alternative ways of engaging with the public. For instance, through mobile police stations, increased use of mobile data equipment by police officers, holding extra police surgeries and working with partner agencies. The  force has an additional 74 PCSOs funded by the Welsh Government who will have joined the force by Spring 2013; over 20 are already in post throughout the force area.

"The force is proposing to use existing resources in a more efficient and cost effective way. This does not mean the withdrawal of policing services from any of its areas. The proposals include different, more visible and accessible methods for people to contact us when it is not an emergency. This could mean changes to the way the force provides some services."

It has listed Welshpool and Ystradgynlais in Powys as stations under review. It is understood this means police officers would still be based at the stations, but public access and civilian facing staff could be withdrawn and mobile police units introduced for access.

"The Force has started consultation with staff and unions who could be directly affected by the proposed changes. Whatever the outcome of the consultation all of these stations will continue to provide 24 hour accessible policing services," added the statement. 

Dyfed Powys Police, Chief Constable Ian Arundale, said: “The Review highlights the changing way the public access our services and we need to acknowledge and adapt to this in order to provide the best possible service for our residents. The Force is always looking at ways to improve its service to the public and these proposed changes will help us achieve that while also reducing costs to meet the coalition Government’s cost reduction target for the Force of over £13 million by 2015/16.

“Providing alternative convenient ways for people to contacts us in their communities will also help us to protect front line police officer roles and enable us to redeploy some staff to carry out other key tasks.

“During times of austerity we must focus on providing more convenient and efficient alternatives for people to contact us. In some cases this could mean changing facilities that are rarely being used and developing other ways for people to contact us. For instance, through mobile police stations, police surgeries and working with partner agencies.”

Delyth Humfryes, Chair of Dyfed Powys Police Authority, said: “In the current economic climate the police service has to change the way it delivers services against a backdrop of large cuts in Government funding. However, the Authority and the Force is committed to ensuring Dyfed Powys Police deliver the best possible service to our communities with the resources we have.”

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