A cross-party deputation of Gwynedd Councillors have met with Mark Polin, Chief Constable of North Wales Police and the Chair and Chief Executive of the Police Authority to seek assurances about the future of policing in Gwynedd.
Speaking after the meeting Gwynedd Council’s Senior Leader on Community Safety matters Councillor John Wyn Williams said:
“Ensuring that the communities of Gwynedd remain safe and pleasant places to live is a priority for the Council.
“As the force is currently consulting on possible changes to the way it operates, we were eager to meet with the Chief Constable to get a clearer understanding from him of the potential impact of possible changes upon the Gwynedd area especially in the more rural areas of Pen Llyn and South Meirionnydd.
“During the meeting we were pleased to receive an assurance from the Chief Constable that neighbourhood policing will remain at current levels or may even be strengthened. Whilst disappointed that Bangor will not be a ‘response hub’ we are pleased to understand that North Wales Police is committed to keeping Bangor police station open. As a Council we feel strongly that full use should be made of the new police station in Bangor which was built in the centre of the city with the support of the Council.”
Councillor Charles Wyn Jones, who is one of the two Gwynedd Council representatives on the North Wales Police Authority, added:
“As a body which will have to deliver around £40 million of savings over the next four years we have made it clear to the Chief Constable that Gwynedd Council appreciates the difficult financial position facing North Wales Police due to cuts in funding from the Westminster Government.
“This meeting was an opportunity for us to re-affirm our commitment to working in partnership with the force to respond to this huge challenge and to emphasise the importance of ensuring a visible police presence in our communities.”
