A PETITION, signed by 1,000 people opposing the impending closure of front desks across Gwent, has been handed in to Gwent Police.

The signatures were gathered in the wake of the news that the majority of stations in Gwent will close their front desks to the public.

Blaenau Gwent AM Alun Davies said: "Earlier this year I commended the Gwent Police Authority's figures revealing that Blaenau Gwent is set to record 469 fewer crimes than last year.

"The recently proposed closures are giving mixed messages to both committed frontline service staff who ensure that our communities are safe and to the general public. It is completely out of touch with communities who want to keep bobbies on the beat and their local police stations open."

As reported previously in the Argus, the front desks on 17 of the 22 stations across Gwent will close at the end of June.

Newport Central will be the only police station in the force to remain open 24 hours a day, with Abergavenny, Ebbw Vale, Cwmbran and Blackwood all open to the public between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week.

Gwent Police's Chief Constable Carmel Napier said, having review the use of 9am to 5pm front office use, she is "convinced" they need to move resources from these front desks, which get low visitor numbers, to other areas in the force.

She added: "In short my operational policing teams will maintain their visible presence and will continue to build on the range of existing engagement activity which includes police surgeries, PACT meetings, visits to community groups and taking our Mobile Police Stations out into the community to ensure we remain accessible to the public."