FEARS that Lampeter Police Station will be closed permanently are groundless, a local ­officer has assured town councillors.

Sgt Richard Marshall also scotched rumours that the station in Llandysul would shut following a recent arson attack.

And he revealed he would shortly be able to reveal the results of an internal review exam­ining the night manning of Lampeter and Aberaeron stations.

The move has drawn fierce criticism from councillors in both towns in recent months.

And bullish Lampeter councillors left the off­icer in no doubt as to their concerns over the fact Lampeter had been operating as a 16-hour station since April – with night-time cover being supplied by mobile crews from Cardigan and Aberystwyth.

“We would very much like Lampeter to return to being a 24-hour station,” said town mayor Cllr Hag Harris. “People are feeling insecure."

Sgt Marshall said Lampeter police covered a wide area taking in Alltwalis, Llansawel, Pontrhydygroes and Llanrhystud.

“I’m sure you can appreciate the problems of staffing across such a wide area,” he said.

“While we like the idea of having 24-hour stations it’s not always physically possible for us to do that. However, we are expecting the results of an internal consultation into the issue and I hope to be in a position to give you some news on that soon."

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