Neighbourhood Policing in Penarth is set to have a new home in the town centre subject to agreement by Penarth Town Council next week.

A newly created Community Hub at West House on Stanwell Road could accommodate the team of PCSOs and police officers who serve Penarth.

The move would not change the number the officers serving Penarth.

All premises with the South Wales Police estate are subject to an on-going review to ensure the force is fit to deliver a modern and effective service to the public.

While the modernisation programme is carried out, Penarth Police Station on Windsor Road will continue to be used for a variety of police uses but this plan will ensure a long-term neighbourhood policing base in Penarth

The detailed proposal has been developed following discussions between South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael and the Leader of the Penarth Town Council, Cllr Rhiannon Birch who met to discuss the future of policing in the town and the plan will be put to the Town Council for approval on Thursday, 15 December.

Alun Michael.

Mr Michael, who was MP for Cardiff South and Penarth for 25 years from 1987, said: "The police station on Windsor Road has been the home of policing in Penarth for many years, but it is one of a significant number of old buildings which are very expensive to run and simply do not meet the requirements of modern-day policing. But we are determined to make sure that there is a permanent long-term local police presence in Penarth. That calls for a flexible location with a long-term future.

"The Chief Constable and I are maintaining a laser-like focus on neighbourhood policing, on working with our council colleagues on Community Safety and on reinforcing and expanding the local role of PCSOs now that the demands of COVID-19 are largely behind us. That is why it is important to make sure that neighbourhood policing has a place in the heart of the town not just now but for the long term. 

"I would like to thank the Leader of Penarth Town Council for her interest, and for opening the door to a new chapter for policing in Penarth – Councillor Birch's support shows a real commitment to partnership working and I know that both the interest in effective policing and cooperative working is shared generally across the Town Council. Basing officers in the West House Community Hub will locate them alongside an important community organisation in the heart of the town, bringing officers even closer to the community and making them even more visible and approachable for the people of Penarth."

Cllr Rhiannon Birch

Cllr Birch says: "Penarth Town Council has been developing a forward-thinking approach to managing and supplying its services to the people of Penarth for many years. This proposal is the latest partnership project the Council is considering and will assist South Wales Police to maintain and enhance local police services at the heart of the Community of Penarth." 

Divisional Commander for Cardiff & The Vale, Chief Superintendent Danny Richards, added: "A move to West House will keep our front-line neighbourhood staff at the heart of the Penarth community. It means we can maintain a permanent policing presence in the town and also strengthen important relationships with the town council."

Subject to agreement by the Town Council next week, work on the Community Hub will commence in the New Year.