POLICE OFFICERS in Pembrokeshire are on the move this month as the St Davids Neighbourhood Policing Team move to the fire station and Tenby police station closes temporarily for refurbishment.

Superintendent Ian John, Policing lead for Pembrokeshire, said about the move in St Davids: “This move has been about ensuring the best use of public money.  Our focus is now about spending time in the community working with local people and advances in technology allow us to do this much more.

“We really don’t want to spend much time in our police stations, so sharing a facility with the Mid and West Wales Fire Service helps both services make the best use of valuable resources.

“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.

“This new base will give us the flexibility to have a base available to us for those times when we need it.  It is important to us that the people of St Davids and surrounding community know how to engage with us. ”

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “It’s great news that the people of St Davids continue to have a police base at the heart of their community. I am committed to ensuring opportunities of working with other agencies to maintain services within local communities are maximised. This development is part of a wider Estates Programme helping me as the Commissioner to ensure an effective and efficient service is delivered for local residents.

“I look forward to working with – and listening to – the community over the next four years.”

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Corporate Head of Resources, Iwan Cray, said: “We are delighted to welcome St Davids Neighbourhood Policing Team to St Davids Fire Station.

“Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service works in partnership with Dyfed Powys Police across a wide range of activities, and sharing our base at St Davids is another example of our excellent co-operation.

“I look forward to continuing our close working relationship with the Police, and other partner agencies, in making the communities of Mid and West Wales safer places to live and work.

Tenby police station will also be closed from Monday (Jan 16) for approximately 8 weeks in order for the building to be refurbished.

During this time alternative arrangements will be in place for normal service to continue. The Neighbourhood Policing Team will be based in a portacabin on the police station premises and will be accessible as they are now.

The Public Call point outside the police station will also remain working.

Inspector Gareth Thomas said: “This level of investment in Tenby police station clearly demonstrates our commitment to keeping a local policing base in the town and our desire to ensure our facilities are fit for operational use for the future.

“It will house a number of police officers and police staff who together, will continue to keep the public safe. The refurbishment will ensure that we are able to provide the highest standards of service to our communities in the Tenby area.”