CRIME could soar in Deeside once a police inspector’s job is scrapped to save money, community leaders fear.

North Wales Police will remove the inspector from Deeside Police Station next month, which has prompted significant concerns over the future of policing in the area.

Community leaders said at a meeting of Connah’s Quay Town Council they feared the lack of an inspector in Deeside would lead to increased crime in the area.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Ron Hill said: “I am very concerned at the implications for both Connah’s Quay and Deeside.

“I fear there will now be an increased threat of crime and I am concerned there could also be a reduction in police numbers.

“As a council we are not very happy about this and do not feel we were properly consulted on these changes.”

Policing teams in Deeside and North Flintshire will merge on May 4 and form the North Flintshire policing district.

Inspector Paul McKeown, who will be based at Flint Police Station, will replace current Deeside Inspector Alun Evans and North Flintshire Inspector Iwan Roberts.

North Wales Police say the changes are intended to reduce costs for the force while minimising the impact on frontline services.

But Connah’s Quay councillor Bernie Attridge believes the amalgamation will lead to a cut in police service in Deeside.

He said: “We’re not going to have an inspector based in Deeside despite being one of the biggest communities in Flintshire. To me that’s a cut in services.”

The new plans for the merging of inspectors were the result of a four-month public consultation and were agreed by the Police Authority on February 11.

North Wales Police Deputy Chief Constable Ian Shannon said: “We understand public expectations and we are implementing these changes to enable us to continue to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, protect the public and maintain confidence in the service we deliver to the people of North Wales.”