Police force slashes opening hours

A POLICE force has slashed front counter opening hours at its largest police station without informing the public.

Gwent Police offer front counter services at six police stations across its force area, where the public can report or give information about a crime, hand in or request lost property, report for bail, and seek assistance from officers.

The front counter at Newport Central police station, on Cardiff Road, had previously been open between 8am and midnight from

Sunday to Thursday, and 8am until 2am on Friday and Saturday.

But these opening hours were altered in December and the desk is now open from 8am until 10pm daily – a cut of 18 hours a week.

Gwent Police made the changes without updating the news section of their website, sharing the changes on social media or informing local news outlets.

The amended hours were quietly added to the “Find Your Local Police Station” section of their website when they came into effect on December 12.

Newport West MP Ruth Jones said: “As far as I am concerned I had no idea.

“I am particularly concerned about the 8am to 2am slot on Friday and Saturday, as this is when people will be coming in to report incidents that happen in the town centre.

A spokesman for Gwent Police said: “While this decision is not an easy one to take, it allows the force the opportunity to redirect public money to other policing areas so Gwent Police can continue to keep people safe.”