A POLICE inspector has given a stark outlook of the current state of policing in Flintshire.

Inspector Steven Owens of South Flintshire Police provided a sobering update on the current shape of policing in the district to Saltney Town Council at its meeting on Wednesday.

Inspector Owens told councillors: "It's not easy but I know my guys are doing the best they possibly can with the resources they have.

"Currently we have six officers and seven PCSOs covering the whole of South Flintshire, so we have to prioritise responding first to the most serious incidents.

"Therefore in most cases, officers won't be able to respond to until the following day.

"So that's where we are, and unless Mr (Boris) Johnson meets his pledge for 20,000 more officers, the situation will remain as it is - or worsen."

As the meeting was taking place, Inspector Owens said just three officers were out covering South Flintshire - one of whom was Sergeant Gavin Gilmour, who had also attended part of the meeting.

But Inspector Owens announced new plans on how the police are looking to reduce the number of incidents they are called to.

Two PCSOs have been identified to manage repeat demands and will attend all multi-agency meetings in a bid to crack down on the issue.

He added: "We now have officers dedicated to reducing the number of calls we get by dealing with the source of the issue.

"We get the same calls about the same issues time after time and we're trying to stop these by getting to the route of the issue - which mostly includes alcohol, drug or mental health related issues."

Inspector Owens hopes to meet with individual town councils and residents on a regular basis to discuss issues affecting their areas.

North Wales Police is looking to recruit more PCSOs for Flintshire and Wrexham, for more information, visit https://www.north-wales.police.uk/recruitment-home/why-be-a-pcso