Fears have been raised over looming police changes that campaigners say will remove “vital” front-line officers from stations in south Ceredigion.

Dyfed-Powys Police has told the Cambrian News that response officers will only be based in the Lampeter and Aberaeron stations “as dictated by demand” from next month, as it finalises major changes to policing teams.

Campaigners, who launched a petition against the changes which has attracted hundreds of signatures, have said that the move represents a “dangerous downgrading of front-line police response in mid and south Ceredigion”.

The petition also raises fears over Cardigan station, but police have said that response officers will continue to be based in the town.

More response officers will begin and end shifts at Newcastle Emlyn station as part of the plans, but Dyfed-Powys insist that “there are no plans to reduce response officers in Ceredigion”, with some response officers taking up more investigative roles.

“Our overall response officer numbers will remain almost the same,” a spokesperson added.

Campaigners said the planned changes would leave south Ceredigion communities “extremely vulnerable” and that “downgrading such a vital frontline service is not acceptable.”

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson told the Cambrian News: “There will be no reduction in service in Ceredigion, or anywhere else within Dyfed-Powys.

“We are making changes to the way we handle investigations, which will be implemented in November.

“Put simply, from November most of our investigations will be handled by two new dedicated teams, based at local stations.

“These teams will comprise a mix of officer and staff investigators, some of whom will come from our current response cohort.

“This will ensure these new teams have the capacity to conduct proportionate investigations, improve the regularity with which we update victims, and reduce demand on frontline teams.

“These changes will also help us meet recommendations with regards to how we record crime.

“Meanwhile, response officers’ roles will be clearer: freeing them up to focus on attending incidents, responding to community issues, and proactively policing our streets.

“So overall we will have the same number of officers as we do now, but their focus will change: some will be dedicated to investigation work and some will focus solely on traditional response duties.

“We believe this is the best use of our people and their skills, and will enable us to improve the time it takes to record crimes, respond to and update victims, and carry out investigations.

We will continue to be visible in our communities, with the ultimate aim of response officers spending more time on proactive policing work than they do currently.

“Neighbourhood Policing, Roads Policing and dedicated Rural Crime teams will also remain integral to our overall service.”

Dyfed-Powys Police added that the incoming Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn “have been fully briefed and continue to provide scrutiny and support.”

No changes are planned for Aberystwyth, Machynlleth, Llandysul and Crymych stations.

“As with any change to the way we work, the new model will be closely monitored and adapted as necessary,” the spokesperson added.