THREE MONMOUTHSHIRE police stations could close if police authority members give the go ahead to proposals aimed to save money and modernise the police service in the community.

A report into the re-provision of neighbourhood police stations in Raglan, Usk and Tintern is set to be discussed by Gwent Police Authority members next week.

The report suggests closing all three stations, replacing the service with a mobile police station in Raglan and Tintern and moving the Usk facility to share premises with Usk Town Council at The Session House in Usk.

None of the stations have published opening hours and are only open to the public when an officer is at the station completing administrative work.

The one exception is Tintern during the summer months when the station is operated by nine volunteers to support the influx of tourists visiting Tintern Abbey, mainly giving directions.

The report states that closing the station in Tintern would save £9,068.

Usk Police Station currently costs around £8,641 a year to run. The cost of sharing the Usk Council facilties would be £4,500, leading to a saving of £4,141 if the Usk station closed.

The plans form part of the force's re-provision scheme, which aims to save money, improve and modernise the service in the community.

Over the next two years the force is reviewing all neighbourhood police stations through a rolling programme.

Stations in Blaenavon, Cwmfelinfach, Fairwater in Cwmbran, New Inn, Trevethin, Abercarn, Duffryn, Oakdale and Malpas have already been discussed.

The report concludes that re-provision plan is being developed and will be implemented pending discussion by Gwent Police Authority and public consultation between August and October this year.

The report will be discussed at a meeting of the authority's audit and resources committee on June 30.