DYFED-POWYS Police are considering whether to reverse their controversial decision to close Lampeter and Aberaeron stations late at night, Aberaeron town councillors have been told.

Chief Insp Stephen Davies revealed during a briefing at Aberaeron Memorial Hall that Chief Constable Mark Collins was pondering a U-turn as he continued to review the impact of having both stations open for just 16 hours a day with mobile crews from Aberystwyth and Cardigan providing cover.

The move – which came into effect in April following “demand analysis” – drew fierce criticism from Aberaeron county councillor Elizabeth Evans who claimed “part-time stations” left Aberaeron and Lampeter with “a second-class police service” throughout the night.

Cllr Evans also lambasted police chiefs for withdrawing overnight cover “without any consultation with myself, Aberaeron Town Council and the residents of Aberaeron”.

The decision has resulted in both stations closing at 1am on week nights and 3am at weekends.

Now Chief Insp Davies has disclosed that policing in both towns is being re-examined.

“There have been challenges for staff locally as well as for crews from Aberystwyth and Cardigan who have to fill that gap after 3am,” he said.

“There was justification for going to 16 hours but in terms of the impact that’s put on staffing and resources the Chief Constable is still in the process of reviewing the situation and it may be that these stations will again be opened on a 24-hour basis.”

He said police had been forced into a re-assessment by a number of criminal damage incidents and so-called ‘creeper’ burglaries in Lampeter after 1am, along with the fact officers needed to complete paperwork at stations.

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