Dyfed-Powys Police stations shake-up and sell-off plans

Mobile police stations are a solution for some areas

An overhaul of police stations across the Dyfed-Powys force area has been unveiled to save money and put more officers on the beat.

Carmarthen station is among 11 stations which will be relocated.

The force police and crime commissioner said the plans will prioritises spending on "bobbies not bricks".

The strategy has been agreed with Chief Constable Simon Prince after a review of force properties in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.

It could mean police stations moving into public buildings, including Llandeilo's Civic Centre.

Some old stations have already closed and are to be sold off include Felinfoel near Llanelli, Llandrindod Wells, Llanfair Caereinion and Neyland.

In addition, Burry Port may merge with Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire, while one officer stays at Llandysul with the rest of the building rented out. Officers at Llwynhendy may move to nearby Llanelli.

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon, who is in charge of buildings, said: "With some of our many buildings being expensive to run or under-used, the strategy will mean a wise use of public money."

He said the whole process could take up to three years as new arrangements would need to be publicised before any relocation or closure occurs.

Meanwhile, 30 new police officer posts had also been created, to meet demand for more officers on the streets.

The force uses around 70 sites with total annual running costs of around £2.9m and is looking at a 10-year maintenance bill of around £10.3m.

But central funding has fallen from around £60.5m in 2011-12 to £53m in 2014-15.