Hain's comments leave police authority baffled (From Western Telegraph)

Hain's comments leave police authority baffled

Welsh Secretary Peter Hain's TV pronouncement that all the police authorities in Wales are in favour of an all-Wales force has bewildered members of Dyfed-Powys Police Authority.

Councillor Don Evans said that no such decision can possibly be made until there has been proper consultation and detailed information has been given to both the authorities and the public about the full range of financial and operational implications.

"The Dyfed-Powys Author-ity has taken a consistent line on this from the very start and has always sought sufficient information to enable us to make a full and reasoned decision.

"We have also expressed concern over the timescale for consultation with the police authorities and with the public.

"Our concerns are over the possible loss of service to the people of Dyfed-Powys and we have had no evidence to re-assure us on the points we have raised, and no confirmation of the adequacy of the funding." Cllr Evans said that, although Mr Hain says Chief Constable Grange is one of the four who agree with the proposals, he has done so only on condition there will be sufficient finance and time to achieve them.

"It must be done at the maximum possible gain to the force area," he added. "If the Government is not prepared to foot the bill, it is going to fall on the council taxpayers and they would not be prepared to accept a diminished service if resources are moved to fund problems in Swansea or Cardiff at the expense of Dyfed-Powys.

"We can not possibly prepare a response until proper consultation has take place and we know all the facts.

"We are digging our heels in and, if the Home Secretary takes out Statutory Orders now without further consultation and with only the limited information we are able to give the public, we will oppose it.

"The message we are hearing from all sides is: 'Whatever you do, don't sell us down the river on this'."