Move to close Welshpool police station attacked
The decision to close to the public a Mid Wales town's police station has been described as 'completely flawed'.
Welshpool Police Station's front desk will close later this year and be replaced by a temporary police station to be open twice a week in a supermarket car park. The move is part of Dyfed Powys Police's £13.5 million budget savings. Six other stations in other parts of the force area will also be affected.
But townsfolk and politicians have hit out at the move, which the force has described as an 'improved' service.
It says that people will always be able to report issues to the police using the 101 number.
Simon Thomas, Plaid Cymru AM for Mid & West Wales, said he fears it will have a knock-on affect on gathering intelligence and warned it could hamper police investigations. He said: "These closures will have the biggest impact in Pembrokeshire and Powys in my Mid and West region.
"This could have a knock-on effect on the intelligence gathering of the police.
"I fear this has been done before the police commissioner elections, so the newly elected commissioners don't get the blame."
Jim Jones, a retired electrician who lives in the Oldford Estate in Welshpool, said: "The plan is completely flawed to me."
Louise Davies, of Gungrog Road, Welshpool, said she thought the idea would see more minor crimes go unreported.
She added: "I also wonder how much money it will save not having someone on the desk but having the van open in the car park twice a week."
Chief Constable Jackie Roberts, said: "We are making these changes to try and improve our services to the public while also delivering £13.5 million worth of cost reductions across all our services.
"However, I would reassure people the changes we have made are designed to maintain and improve our service offering."
