Dear editor, AS REPORTED in the Mercury (November 29) the newly-appointed Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Christopher Salmon has requested a review of the controversial decision to close police front desks in three of the county’s key towns.
This is welcome news, and demonstrates the democratic and accountability of the new role of the police commissioner.
Mr Salmon replaces the former toothless watchdog, the Dyfed-Powys Police Authority (DPPA) whose sell-by date expired long ago.
Concerned county councillors representing the towns (Milford Haven, Tenby, and Fishguard) affected by the closure fought a rearguard action to keep the desks open during an extra-ordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council in June.
Councillors were told by the former leader of the council John Davies, who represented the people of Pembrokeshire on the DPPA, that the authority could do nothing to prevent the closures, as it was an “operational matter”.
It is encouraging that Mr Salmon appears to be more willing to respond to the concerns of the public than the late, unlamented DPPA.
VIV STODDART Milford Haven
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