Councillors in Tenby have once again reiterated the need for more of a police presence around the seaside town during busy periods.

Superintendent Craig Templeton who was recently installed as divisional commander for Pembrokeshire and Sergeant Lewis Simon met with members of Tenby Town Council at their meeting on Tuesday (February 7) night.

Cllr Charles Dale told the officers that Operation Lion - the partnership initiative that aims to ensure public safety and deter anti-social behaviour, low level public order and drink related problems, had been effective last year, starting earlier on the Jubilee Bank Holiday in June, with additional police officers covering the area at weekends.

He asked if the initiative could be extended to cover other busy periods of the year in the town, such as Whitsun and Christmas.

“Having spoken to a number of shopkeepers, Operation Lion being extended around the summer, made a huge difference,” remarked Cllr Dale.

“There appeared to be a lot less hassle, bother and trouble, with officers and PCSOs walking the streets on a regular basis, giving more of a police presence around the town.”

Superintendent Templeton said that police budgets would dictate an extension of the scheme, but said that planning for Operation Lion was already being worked on for this year.

Cllr Duncan Whitehurst said that he’d received positive feedback from residents that had seen police officers tackling ant-social behaviour after dark on North Beach with after late night patrols.

Sergeant Lewis said that the area had been targeted with a number of stop and searches for drugs, and patrolling of any anti-social activity around the beach.

Responding to a question over CCTV coverage of the town from Cllr Laurence Blackhall, Superintendent Templeton said that the new system installed a couple of years ago had dramatically improved coverage around the town, which was now monitored from a fully resourced control room.

Cllr Dale asked if the Town Council could be consulted ahead of Operation Lion commencing once again this year, so input could be given on what periods it would be beneficial to cover and how it operates.