MADAM, Following last week's announcement about the replacement of Ross-on-Wye police station, I would like to reassure local residents, that there will continue to be a police presence in the town.

Safer Neighbourhood Team officers will still be based in Ross-on-Wye. While they may no longer work out of the existing police station, we intend to find a suitable place for them to work from so that they can carry on the vital role they play in keeping the community safe from harm. These officers will continue to investigate crime, carry out local patrols and act as a visible presence in the town – as they do now.

"In recent times, Ross-on-Wye and Ledbury have actually shared their Patrol officers. Regardless of where these officers start their shifts, they are required to serve both towns. So in some respects, the new local policing plans are not too dissimilar to the current arrangements.

"Under the new plans, when Patrol officers are not responding to incoming incidents, they will be directed to adopt an intelligence led approach and proactively patrol clearly defined areas in and around Ross-on-Wye. It would be incorrect to assume that these officers will be sat in Hereford or Ledbury police stations, waiting for a call to service. They are more likely to be just down the road from you, preventing offences from happening or investigating crimes in their workload.

"While it is anticipated that Ross-on-Wye police station will be replaced at some point in the future, it is important to remember that buildings do not protect people: Officers and police staff do. The area will continue to be policed by a Safer Neighbourhood Team, Patrol officers and also, the Force Operations Support Team (FOST) who proactively police the roads in and around the town."

Stephen Cullen, Superintendent Head of Local Policing Implementation Team