Local councillors are to write to Dyfed Powys Police to strongly object to proposals that could see the closure of the front desk facilities at Tenby Police Station.

The force revealed last week how a review that proposes developing alternative ways of engaging with the public, for instance, through mobile police stations, increased use of mobile data equipment by police officers, holding extra police surgeries and working with partner agencies, could lead to front desk services at the Tenby, Milford Haven and Fishguard stations in Pembrokeshire, being closed.

The force is proposing to adapt its services to better meet demand following an internal review into how the Force deals with the way the public contacts them.

The review revealed that people have changed how they contact the police, with fewer people attending police stations, say the Force, a trend which they foresee is likely to increase in future due to changes in people's behaviour and developments in new technology used by the force.

Members of the local force, Sergeant Geraint Lewis and PC Nigel Lewis, met with Tenby councillors on Tuesday night to discuss their concerns ahead of a meeting of the town council.

"There are no plans to close Tenby Police Station, but the possible closure of the front counter facility is an ongoing consultation," explained Sergeant Lewis.

"The station would still be manned 24 hours a day; it's just that anyone who came to the facility would now have to hope that they could see an officer if they took the front counter away.

"It of course would be a great loss to us officers, too, as the front desk staff have a great amount of local knowledge and are a huge resource to us. They also do a lot of additional work than just man the front counter of the station," he continued.

The town clerk also reported that the Mayor, Clr. Trevor Hallett, had received a letter from Superintendent Huw Meredith, Deputy Divisional Policing Commander for Dyfed Powys Police, on the matter, stating that any front desk closures would not signify the withdrawal of any police services from the area.

Tenby county councillor Mike Evans also revealed that he had submitted a notice of motion calling on the chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council to urgently call an extraordinary meeting of the full council to respond to the latest proposals and their social implications, and for councillors to oppose the closures.

The motion also calls for the Chief Constable and Police Authority to reverse the cuts to the police service presently afforded to the people of Pembrokeshire.

"Hopefully the outcome of an extraordinary meeting will produce a stern no to these proposals from my fellow county councillors," said Clr. Mike Evans.

"Taking away the front desk facility makes no sense to us, and that's no criticism of the local police; I'm simply defending the front counter staff and what a wonderful job they do.

"I just don't want to see the drip-drip effect 'til dry, where the force takes away one facility first and then it is gradually announced that other services are to go by the way further down the line.

"The front desk is the first port of call for the elderly population in Tenby especially, and also the massive influx of visitors that we have during the summer and at other points in the year.

"Those people will not change their habits and will expect a response when they go to the police station," added Clr. Evans.

Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown agreed and said that the elderly folk of the town preferred to have contact with the police in the old-fashioned way, which meant dealing with someone at the front counter.

"Using the internet to contact the police or dialling 101 is alien to a lot of people in this area," she said.

Sergeant Lewis agreed and said that the force would have to put a campaign in place to promote the 101 number and alternative ways of contacting police stations, should any front desk closures take place in the area.

Councillors all stated their support for the front desk staff at Tenby police station and agreed that a letter should be sent voicing their objections to the proposals.

"It seems like we're all in this together," stated Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas.