Police took longer than was acceptable to respond to a report of an on-going burglary at a Lampeter pub, Dyfed-Powys Police have admitted.

And in a statement a senior officer pledged that the force would review their response strategy to ensure officers were distributed ‘appropriately’ across the division in future.

They were responding to claims by Nick Wright, landlord of the Black Lion Hotel, that a delay in getting officers to the scene in the early hours of Friday, 10 May, had led to the intruder escaping.

Giving his reaction to the police statement, Mr Wright described it as ‘good news’.

But he added: “It’s one thing for police to admit to their mistakes – another thing to rectify them.”

Speaking on Thursday morning, he added: “It’s now six days since this happened, but apart from a visit from a PCSO on Friday morning and from forensics a few hours later we have not seen anyone from Dyfed-Powys Police.

“You’d have thought they’d at least have sent someone round to take a statement.”

Mr Wright, who bought the former coaching inn last year, told the Cambrian News last week it took officers 37 minutes to respond to his call and that by the time police finally turned up the burglar had fled.

Detective Inspector Jon Rees has conceded that the police response was unacceptable.

“I have reviewed this call-out and officers took longer than is acceptable to respond to a report of an on-going burglary,” he said.

“The force will review its response strategy to ensure officers are distributed appropriately across the division in future.

“An officer has been assigned to investigate this burglary and is in direct contact with the victim to provide updates and support if required. All investigative opportunities are being explored to trace the individuals involved.”

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