PCC Approves Reopening of Police Stations

27th January 2014

As a result of feedback from the public and following consultation with Local Police Unit Commanders, Local Authorities and the Chief Constable, the Commissioner, Ian Johnston, has agreed a plan to provide additional public access to Police Stations throughout Gwent which were previously not open to the public or had limited opening times.

Several Police Stations in Gwent have been approved to open their doors from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday through the proposals which were announced last week. The additional stations approved for
opening five days a week to the public are:

  • Maindee Police Station in Newport;
  • Caerphilly Town Centre Police station (New Library), Ystrad Mynach and Risca Police Stations in Caerphilly County Borough;
  • Pontypool Police Station in Torfaen;

And both Chepstow and Monmouth Police Station's in Monmouthshire.

It was also approved to extend the opening hours at two Police Stations in Blaenau Gwent under the plans. Currently open for a few hours a week, both Abertillery and Brynmawr Police Stations have been approved to open for between two to three days a week (actual days to be confirmed) under the new plans.

The opening of these stations has been accommodated within the PCCs existing financial plans. Mr Johnston will evaluate access to the Police Stations after 12 months. The Chief Constable is currently developing plans with regard to how these stations will be resourced. Explaining his decision, the Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner, Ian Johnston, said: "I have attended over 400 meetings with the public since coming into office. The closure of Police Stations and accessibility to them has been high on the agenda for many of our communities in Gwent. As a result of this feedback I have had discussions with the Chief Constable to review access to Police Stations in our communities and to see how they can be best utilised. I have taken action and delivered on the feedback I have received and I'm delighted to announce the reopening and the extension of opening hours of Police Stations throughout Gwent. The announcement today complements some of the priorities outlined in my Police and Crime Plan with regards to delivering the best quality of service available for the people of Gwent, reducing and preventing crime and protecting people from serious harm. My plan also highlights how I will make the best use of resources and provide value for money. The opening of these stations plays an important part of that." Gwent Police Temporary Deputy Chief Constable, Lorraine Bottomley, added: "We will work with the Police and Crime Commissioner to achieve the best possible service for the public of Gwent. At present we have a 24 hour station at Newport central and four stations at Abergavenny, Blackwood, Cwmbran and Ebbw Vale which are open to the public from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. "I will meet with our five Local Policing Unit Commanders early next week to begin planning for how we can work with our communities to improve our service delivery at stations." For further information about Police Station opening hours please visit www.gwent.police.uk/stations/