RESIDENTS of a Gwent village have hit out following a decision to remove community officers from its police station.

Policing for Raglan is now based eight miles away in Usk following the recent creation of a rural section for Monmouth police division.

But residents and Raglan councillors are angry at what they claim is lack of consultation about the change.

"We need police as a deterrent, not simply to respond after the incident," said Joan Barrington, who lives in Somerset Drive and is employed as school caretaker of Raglan Primary.

"Even when we do get a response it's usually too late for the police to do anything about it."

Mrs Barrington, who's late husband John was once the local neighbourhood watch co-ordinator, said Raglan was increasingly a target for criminal activities.

"There have been problems with vandals and the school shed has been broken into quite a few times," she said.

"Any damage comes out of the school budget, so at the end of the day it is the kids who are affected."

Dave Hall, 61, also of Somerset Drive, said that just one uniformed officer stationed in Raglan had been a useful deterrent in the past.

"Now if you see a policeman it's because he's popping into Londis to get a pint of milk," he said. "Without a permanent presence, it's open season for criminals."

Raglan still has a police station but it is currently being used for police operations that do not directly involve the village.

Village councillor Dennis Brown said Raglan community council had written a formal letter of protest to Monmouth-based Inspector Geoff Smith, but was still waiting for a reply.

Inspector Geoff Smith said he had not responded to the letter because it contained concerns already addressed to Raglan's community councillors at a recent North Monmouthshire Police Liaison meeting.

"Let's not damn it out of hand, but see what the new measures produce," said Insp Smith.

"Raglan is not losing officers but gaining them - we now have an extra sergeant and two extra officers dedicated to the newly-created rural section."