New Tenby police inspector Les Clark is a "believer in traditional policing methods" who wants to put Bobbies back on the beat.

Being welcomed to the town by Tenby Town Council last week, the inspector, who was brought up in Tenby until the age of 10, also said that with 25 years in the force, he had the experience to try and make a different to Tenby's public order problems

Inspector Clark, who took over from Inspector Wyn Evans in October, said that, while he had to ensure that, with his limited resources, there was police coverage of his station's catchment area, which stretches from Saundersfoot to Manorbier, he would endeavour to get officers out on the beat as much as possible.

"I'm a strong believer in traditional policing methods and want to see officers on the beat as much as the general public," he said.

"They not only act as a deterrent, but also give the public reassurance."

Inspector Clark added that he was not opposed to modern methods either, however, pointing out that Tenby's CCTV system was 'excellent'.

"We are making a lot of use of the system and, with the help of volunteers manning the cameras, are able to direct officers to where they are needed," he explained.

The inspector added that the two Tenby police vans were now also fitted with CCTV which could be directed to 'hot-spots' to act as a deterrent.

Clr. Mrs. Kerri Durham wondered if the vans could be used to help solve the parking problems around Tenby's three schools in Heywood Lane, with Clr. Mickey Folland agreeing that a police presence in the area could help solve the situation.

Inspector Clark opined that he was willing to send an officer to book illegally parked cars, although he appreciated that parents wanted to drop off their children by car, particularly in wet weather.

As a result, he promised to look into the situation.

The Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown, also wondered if the CCTV vans could be used to target areas where youth disorder had proved to be a problem in the past, for example the Jubilee Gardens and the South Beach.

Inspector Clark said that, although he could not promise that the vans would always be available, he would also look at these areas.

Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane said that it was "all very well filming problems," but wondered what was the outcome.

The inspector said that people could either be arrested then and there or the following day.

Clr. Mrs. Lane commented that "a lot of people seem to get away with an awful lot in the summer," but the inspector stressed that there was "no lack of arrests in Tenby."

As a CCTV operator volunteer, Clr. Stuart Fecci backed the police inspector, saying that every incident recorded on the cameras was logged and prioritised dependent on police resources.

Inspector Clark said that Tenby was a very unique situation and was very dependent on tourism.

In the main, staffing levels were right, but officers had to face "one-third of their work in two months."

As a result, he was delighted to reveal that divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Paul Amphlett, had authorised three additional officers for the Tenby station for next summer.

A system had also been put in place for the town to receive additional support from Pembroke Dock and other units when occasion demanded.

"I've been in the force for 25 years and have been stationed in towns with bigger public order problems than Tenby," said the inspector. "I have the experience of public order situations and I know how to deal with them and I will do my best," he stressed.

Clr. Mrs. Brown wondered if the situation could be helped by having Tenby police station open 24 hours, so that prisoners could be brought there and not to Pembroke Dock.

"The present arrangement takes two officers off the streets for as much as one-and-a-half-hours," she claimed.

The inspector said that he would rather have an officer on the beat than sitting in an office, adding that officers could always be contacted when out of the station.

He also pointed out that the cells at Tenby police station did not comply with Human Rights legislation in some instances and there was only a certain length of time a person could be held in them.

"We can't hold people in them for long periods of time, for example a drunk who needs to be monitored properly while sobering up," he said.

Inspector Clark also outlined some of the new initiatives at Tenby police station, including three officers trained to Home Office standards in crime prevention who were available to give advice to businesses and the public.

There was also an ongoing scheme regarding misuse of alcohol by youths.

"We do not see it as just a rite of passage," stressed the inspector. "If we take a youth in worse for wear, we don't just take them home, we have protocols in place to inform the schools who will set counselling sessions in train."

Tenby was, Inspector Clark said, a challenging place and and he looked forward to doing his best.

"I will always make myself available if any councillor wants a chat," he said. "I am very much a public servant. Not everything in the garden is rosy, but I do have the experience to try and make a difference."

Clr. Mrs. Brown wished Inspector Clark every success.

"We promise we will be knocking on your door!" she smiled.