Meeting call over policing levels

Up to 20 graves were damaged in the town's cemetery

Calls are being made for a public meeting with police chiefs to discuss policing levels at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Feelings are running high in the Gwynedd town since 20 graves were vandalised at a cemetery last month.

Town councillors claim the damage at Bethesda chapel cemetery is just one such incident and the reason is a lack of police presence.

A spokesperson for North Wales Police said policing levels in the area was constantly reviewed.

"We've asked for a meeting in response to the unfortunate incident when the cemetery was vandalised," said Councillor Gwilym Euros Roberts.

"It became obvious in the discussions that followed that incident that there was a shortage of policemen in the town."

"The Meirionnydd area is one of the safest areas to live in the country North Wales Police spokesperson

Mr Roberts said the police officers working in the patch were doing "commendable" work, but there was just not enough of them.

He claimed that sometimes there was only one officer covering from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Ganllwyd 15 miles (24 km) away.

"I don't feel this is safe nor fair on the police officers, or the local community," Mr Roberts added.

Councillor Arthur Holland Williams said there were a number of unsolved crimes in the town, because the police were just too busy to deal with them.

'Strong feelings'

"The system of policing put in place by the chief constable is failing," he said.

"There is a strong feeling that there should be a public debate with the chief constable and the chair of the police authority," he added.

Town council chairman, Dylan Richards, said: "I'm not saying there's a huge crime wave here, but we are aware of how many police officers we have, not just in this area, but in other communities too," he said.

A spokesperson for North Wales Police said the Meirionnydd area was "one of the safest areas in the country in which to live".

She added that crime had reduced in Blaenau Ffestiniog over the past few years and currently remains at a low level.

"The levels of policing in Meirionnydd area are constantly reviewed in regard to demand," she added.