NORTH Wales Police could have done more to inform the public of proposals to relocate emergency response teams, according to a high ranking officer.
Bangor City councillors, community groups and residents made their feelings known about the consultation process on plans to create nine emergency response hubs throughout North Wales at a public meeting in Penrhyn Hall last night (Wednesday, February 9).
The meeting heard that the Bangor station would not close, and that response teams would begin their shifts at Caernarfon, and then carry out their duties in the city.
However, Wales Police Authority chief executive Tal Michael said that the force would lose one in eleven officers and support staff would go as the authority face a 20 per cent government funding cut over the next four years.
Inspector Manon Owen agreed that the consultation could have reach a wider cross section of the public.
She added: "I think it's important for people not to put things in the open air until they know the facts, and if people want to contact me, then I'm available.
While he was satisfied with the proposals, Bangor City Councillor Derek Hainge noted that the authority did not receive notification of the public consultation until a week before it ended.
He said: "Somebody should be kicked up the backside for this, because you have really wound up the people of Bangor."
Mr Michael explained that the North Wales Police Authority had discussed the proposals with 20 Gwynedd Councillors in November, had advertised on the North Wales Police website and claimed the media had been informed.
He added: "We're having a meeting now, so better late than never."
Mr Michael added that public feedback would be considered when the Authority discusses the plans
Under the plans, officers would report to an emergency response hub in Caernarfon for a briefing.
They will be deployed to strategic locations in the area, which will include Bangor.
Chief Inspector Ian Maxwell said that face to face briefings would enable sergeants to deploy officers where they are needed at the time.
He added "The response hubs are not where officers are going to start and wait for a call to come in, do their paperwork, and have a chat about work."
Neighbourhood policing and investigation teams would remain at Bangor police station.
Lindsey Jayne Redhead, 20, a media and journalism student at Bangor University, said that many students had been concerned about the proposals.
However, she added: "It has put a lot of my fears to rest, and if they had explained it better to begin with, a lot of the panic wouldn't have happened."