Earlier this month the Cambrian News exclusively revealed that police stations in both towns would be unmanned between 1am and 9am on weekdays and that night-time cover would be provided by patrols from Cardigan and Aberystwyth.
Aberaeron councillor Elizabeth Evans attacked the move, criticising “a lack of consultation” and saying that this, coupled with the disbanding of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, meant that Aberaeron would be left with “a second-class police service”.
But this week Lampeter-based Insp Matthew Howells hit back in a bid to “set the record straight” regarding mid-Ceredigion’s Neighbourhood Policing Team.
“There is still a Neighbourhood Policing Team consisting of three police officers and nine PCSOs. Reports of our Neighbourhood Policing Team being disbanded are false. There will no longer be a dedicated sergeant for the team, but that will in no way affect the proactive policing work carried out by the NPT officers and PCSOs.”
Lampeter councillor Hag Harris said it needed to be established whether there would be any “negative” impact on policing in both towns.
“We will need to discuss exactly what the cover will be during that eight-hour overnight period,” he said.
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