Police station refurb a 'bad use of money'
Plans to spend £15 million on re-designing and refurbishing police stations have been branded "a bad use of public money".
Dyfed-Powys Police wants to save £3.7 million this financial year, but despite that Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon announced plans for a makeover of the force's stations.
He wants to spend the £15 million on making the exterior of stations more up-to-date, along with better front desks and a re-build of a police station in South Wales.
Critics say the spending comes at a time when public services are under great pressure.
Councillor Joy Jones, county councillor for Newtown, said: "I think it is more important we have bobbies on the beat and a better frontline service than a pretty looking station.
"Our officers in Powys are absolutely brilliant and they do a superb job and deserve a workplace to match, but at a time when public spending is so tight, it comes across as a bad use of public money.
"We need more officers on the streets rather than this."
Glyn Davies, Montgomeryshire MP, added: "It is something which comes as a surprise to me at a time when police finances are under such scrutiny."
Mr Salmon has launched an online survey to find out what the public think of stations in the force area as part of the plan.
However, not everyone is against the upgrade.
Montgomeryshire AM Russell George said: "It's important that the police are as accessible to the public as possible.
"I would encourage people to get involved in the consultation which the commissioner has recently launched to gain residents' views on modernising front line police services in Dyfed Powys in an effort to make best use of public money.
"This is just one part of the way in which the commissioner is seeking to ensure that communities receive a modern and professional police service."
Mr Salmon also defended the plan.
He said: "Front line policing is a priority for me. There are 30 extra Dyfed-Powys police officers this year thanks to strong financial management.
"Officers will spend 100,000 more hours on the beat this year thanks to investment in new IT. The police force needs the right buildings in the right places and the public want their local police stations to be accessible and welcoming.
"Many police buildings aren't welcoming places. I want to change that."
To take the online survey – and see all the design concepts for stations, visit: www.bit.ly/Survey-Summer15
