Pembrokeshire’s BCU Commander has said that it is a major focus of the Dyfed Powys Police force to make sure that there is a greater police presence on the streets of Tenby during the busy holiday season.

Speaking with members of Tenby Town Council, along with the town’s new police inspector Aled Davies, Superintendent Ian John said that Tenby had always produced a ‘strong and vibrant’ local policing team that was never taken for granted.

He addressed recent concerns raised in the community by council representatives that there would be a cut in the hours that the resort’s police station is manned over the busy summer period, and said that the station, which was currently being refurbished and being reinstated as a ‘section station’ by the end of April, would see the bulk of its staff on a 16-hour rota, but that there would also now be three sergeants based in Tenby, which he felt would be more beneficial to the local policing team.

“Officers will now be split into three teams and will always have a sergeant with them for experience, which you can’t beat, and will be supervised by Pembroke Dock,” he explained.

“Last summer we had the front desk at the Tenby station manned for a period, so we’re hoping to achieve that again this year.

“Tenby is a lovely place to come with the family and we’re desperate to keep a visible police presence in the day, which is important to the people of the town from the feedback we get, and something I’m passionate about. Helping the resort to be a real family place is key to our policing plans for the summer.

“Thankfully we have cut down incidents of violence and anti-social behaviour in the town, but everywhere you have nightspots you will have that.

“I’m pleased with the relationship our officers have with door staff too, as people who cause a problem in one place, certainly may cause a problem somewhere else, so it’s important to communicate that,” he continued.

Insp. Davies told councillors that there were plans to get the British Transport Police involved early too before the summer.

“Our plan is to have them working with Tenby from June 1 through to September 3, where they can be useful preventing youths entering the resort from the trains early,” he explained.

The Mayor, Clr. Laurence Blackhall, said the message sent out that Tenby’s population goes up from 5,000 to 50,000 over the summer season was an important one, to make sure that there were enough resources available to police the town.

Clr. Mike Evans agreed that the time period between 4 and 9 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the summer when the town was full of families was key for police to patrol if there were any incidents.

“Tenby is not only the jewel in Pembrokeshire, but also Wales’ tourism jewel, so if there is an incident during the daytime especially, it reflects badly on Wales. It can be intimidating also for locals walking home to their homes that time of day if any incidents spill over,” he said.

Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter said that a ‘visual police presence’ was what the people of Tenby wanted to see.

“Seeing an officer on the beat and knowing you can go up to them. It’s also a deterrent if anything kicks-off,” she commented.

Superintendent John said it was a challenge for officers to respond in good time whatever the time of day.

He also said it would be good to emphasise that the Summer Spectacular events held down at the harbour were family fun events, rather than just a chance for people to get drunk.

“If families see anti-social behaviour at one of those events, then they’re not going to come back the next weekend,” he remarked.

Clr. Evans also praised the work of the town’s PCSOs. “We’re very lucky to have them, they work very hard for the town,” he said.

“They’re doing a good job, and I’m glad to hear the positive feedback,” responded Superintendent John, adding that he knew that Insp. Davies and his team of officers would provide a ‘cracking service’ for Tenby.