A NEW policing sector combining Townhill with Mumbles and Gower comes into force today, but police chiefs insist the public won't see any changes on the ground.

The only difference is that two response officers based at Mumbles Police Station will have a briefing at Townhill at the beginning of their shift, said Swansea's senior policeman, Chief Superintendent Mark Mathias. The duo will then head to Mumbles.

"I see no reason whatsoever for any diminishing services in Mumbles," said Mr Mathias, who described the changes as logistical, and aimed at improving staff supervision.

He pointed out the village's local inspector, sergeant and two community support officers will continue to be based there as well.

Response officers deal primarily with 999 calls, while neighbourhood officers like the ones mentioned above mainly work the beat in their area and resolve a range of issues. Mr Mathias said it wasn't unusual for sector boundaries to change to get the most out of staff and resources.

"Over the past three years we have continually tried to reconfigure to provide that efficiency," he said. "As circumstances and policing demands change, we will change accordingly."

Today's move may even be reversed later, added Mr Mathias.

Swansea has six policing sectors — Morriston, Eastside, city centre, Penlan, Gorseinon, and Townhill, Mumbles and Gower. Townhill was formerly combined with Penlan.

Mr Mathias said his aim was to base response officers at Sketty, which currently houses neighbourhood officers and multi-agency teams.

And he vowed not to leave Gower short. "We are looking for bigger premises in Reynoldston."

Mumbles Community Council chairman Brian Arthur said: "I have no concerns as long as there are the same amount of officers, and they respond in the normal way."

richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk