Tenby Town Council are to write to the Home Secretary opposing any plans to cut the budget of Dyfed-Powys Police.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting of the town council, Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, said she had been horrified to read in the press of proposals by Government's police minister John Denman to take police funding away from rural areas to spend on inner cities.

If this came about, it was claimed that the Dyfed-Powys force could lose up to £4 million, which would have, Clr. Mrs. Brown felt, a devastating effect on their ability to police the more rural areas of the county.

She also noted that one of the town council's aims was to have Tenby police station re-opened 24 hours a day.

"If there is a budget cut, this would come very, very low down on the list of priorities," she opined.

"This area is already struggling because of a lack of police resources and we should write to the Home Office opposing this idea."

Clr. Mrs. Brown also suggested that they write to other local town and community councils seeking support for their actions and also to the area's MP and AM.

"If the police lose £4 million in funding, then we'll end up paying for it," she stressed.

Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas agreed with the Mayor's proposals.

"We have to take action on this," she said.

"This will have serious implications for rural communities," agreed Clr. Stuart Fecci. "We need to write to the Home Secretary direct."

Clr. Philip Crockford claimed that recent figures showed that crime was increasing and he felt that these should be included in any correspondence."

"I think the Home Secretary will be aware of the figures, but it would not do any harm," commented Clr. Mrs. Brown.