Residents calling for more police action on Aberystwyth’s drug users have been told resources are limited and not enough crimes are reported to warrant it.

The issue of drug use in Aberystwyth and the surrounding areas was raised at a public meeting at Penparcau Memorial Hall on 16 September.

The meeting, organised by Aberystwyth Town Council, was prompted by residents who say there has been a rise in drug use and open dealing.

It was attended by approximately 25 worried residents and councillors who expressed concerns to Inspector Hana Edwards and Sergeant Phil Woodland.

They said crime figures for the area were very low but when residents expressed individual concerns, Sgt Woodland said: “We never hear of these incidents. It’s frustrating.”

Concerns included the smell of cannabis and feeling intimidated by groups of people on the streets.

Sgt Woodland said: “There isn’t the crime rate here that there is elsewhere. This area is very safe.

“I understand feeling threatened, but the people standing there may be absolutely fine.”

Inspector Edwards agreed, saying: “There isn’t the data behind what we hear so and so said, or what people say on Facebook.”

But keen to help and sympathetic to residents, they showed them how to use the Dyfed-Powys Police website, urged them to report crimes, and said they would do what they could to patrol the streets and respond to incidents, but resources were limited.

Cllr Carl Worrall who chaired the meeting expressed his disappointment at MP Ben Lake’s absence, and that of the area’s MS’s.

“They could have answered questions about the lack of funding and resources the police need,” he told the ‘Cambrian News’ following the meeting.

“I would have thought they would have tried to be there, but hopefully they can set up another meeting with residents and police because there are lots of drug dealings in Aberystwyth town centre and the surrounding areas.

“The police representatives kept saying we must report things, but then they don’t have the resources to act on those reports.

“I’m not criticising them, we know they’re underfunded and understaffed.

“The people in power should be fighting for policing on the ground.

“I think the police answered everything they could, but we needed our MP and our MS’s there.

“It's got to come from the top now, from our government, and police force to have more officers on the ground and less in offices.”

Aberystwyth Town Council thanked the meeting’s participants.

They said: “Thank you to everyone who attended.

“A special thank you to Cllr Carl Worrall, Penparcau Aberystwyth Ward for chairing the meeting, Inspector Hana Edwards and Sergeant Phil Woodland from Dyfed-Powys Police, Llyr Hughes from Ceredigion County Council and Adam Whitehouse from DDAS.

“The meeting highlighted the excellent work being carried out by partner organisations, and it was particularly encouraging to hear that drug-related crime has reduced significantly since 2024/25.

“Remember, you can find crime statistics and information about what's happening in your community on the Dyfed-Powys Police website https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/

“Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such an important discussion.”