FOLLOWING a positive response from members of the public, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent announced last Thursday (15th January) that several key police stations he reopened last year will now remain open.

In the wake of feedback from the public, and after consulting with local Police Unit Commanders, Local Authorities and the Chief Constable, Gwent PCC Ian Johnston reopened front counter services at several police stations last year which had previously been closed or had limited opening hours.

In a move welcomed by the Gwent Police and Crime Panel, stations in Chepstow and Monmouth, and other stations across south Wales, reopened their front counters between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Mr Johnston has been reviewing and evaluating these arrangements over the last 12 months and has decided to retain public access to these police stations following the findings of a number of public surveys he organised last year, and feedback from the hundreds of public engagement meetings that both he and his team have attended.

The PCC commissioned two evaluations of the re-opened stations between July and October 2014. They revealed that respondents supported the decision to offer front counter services.

Most people felt they had received a good service when they had used or visited the stations and that this provision should be permanently reinstated. These responses were confirmed by the replies received to a separate online survey using the Online Watch Link (OWL) system and a question relating to station access that was included in the PCC's recent Precept questionnaire.

Delighted to announce that the stations will remain open, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Ian Johnston, said: "When I took office in 2012, I embarked on a series of community engagement activities and it became apparent that the closing of front counter services was not a popular decision with the community.

"The data from the surveys and the positive public feedback in relation to my decision to re-establish access to police stations has made it clear to me that this is what the public want, and that these facilities are important where reassuring and engaging with the public is concerned.

"Acting on this information, I'm delighted to announce that these

stations will remain open."

For further information about Police Station opening hours, visit http://www.gwent.police.uk/police">www.gwent.police.uk/police-

stations