The policing base for the Carmarthen Rural Policing Team has moved to Whitland Police Station, which will open on Jul 16. Residents, businesses and stakeholders are invited to the opening day, to speak about the way in which policing is evolving and to ask them to help shape local policing.
The police station will be open between 12pm and 4pm and is located on St Mary Street.
This is an opportunity for residents of Whitland to catch up with the Neighbourhood Policing Team, to learn more about developments in policing locally and, to play their part in shaping policing for the future.
There will also be a consultation on preferred locations for the Mobile Police Station (which will be outside the station to see) and you will also be able to suggest ideas for community meeting points. There will also be a chance to see the technology now available to the officers with the roll-out of the new and improved hand held devices.
Superintendent Claire Parmenter, Policing lead for Carmarthenshire, said:
“Today’s move has been about ensuring the best use of public money. Our stations are very much bases for Officers now, rather than buildings to which they are tied.
“We are actively encouraging policing teams to spend their time within the communities they serve and, with the technology now available to them, there is very little need for Officers and PCSOs to return to a station throughout their shift. The switchboards, systems and paperwork once associated with policing are now available in the palms of our hands.
“We are always looking at innovative ways of engaging with our communities and we are hoping residents will come to us with their own suggestions on meeting points and stop-off spots for the Mobile Police Station. We are also keen to hear from businesses, happy for us to host a community surgery at their premises.”
Community surgeries, where the public and the police can meet, will also be held at The Gate, Pentre Road, St Clears.
The decision to make the move from St. Clears Police Station to Whitland was announced by the Police & Crime Commissioner, Christopher Salmon, in January. Refurbishment costs estimated at around £100k for the policing base at St. Clears meant a move to the then closed station at Whitland would make better use of public money. Whitland Police Station was closed Apr 30 2012. The cost of bringing this building back into service is estimated to be £15k.
Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said:
“It’s great news that the people of Whitland and St Clears now have modern, professional police bases at the heart of their communities.
“This is a positive step which will help Dyfed-Powys Police deliver an effective and efficient service for local residents.
“I look forward to working with – and listening to – the community over the next four years.”
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