Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

One police force in Wales seems to be more worried than others when it comes to Brexit , and has even asked councillors to keep an eye out for potential trouble.

Dyfed-Powys Police has written to all county councillors and local councillors in Pembrokeshire asking them to monitor "community tensions".

The county is also the only one so far which will have specialist police officers on standby after March 29, the date the country is due to exit the European Union.

A spokesman for the force confirmed they were readying themselves for a no-deal Brexit and putting measures in place to deal with potential protest and disorder, as well as civil contingencies.

(Image: Copyright Unknown)

The letter to councillors, sent by Amanda Diggens, chief inspector for partnerships west at Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "In preparation for Brexit, we are monitoring community tensions.

"As representatives of residents across Pembrokeshire, and having close connections with local communities – we would be grateful if you could notify police of any existing or emerging community tensions that come to your attention.

"Early identification of any tensions will greatly assist us to ensure that we provide the most effective response, to protect, support and provide reassurance to all members of our local communities."

The letter also said that some elected councillors in other parts of the UK had raised concerns over their personal safety because of their views on Brexit.

However, to date, no such concerns have been reported in Pembrokeshire.

In Ebbw Vale, the community is ready for Brexit and want to leave on March 29:

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

The spokesman for Dyfed-Powys Police said talking to councillors on the ground, as representatives of communities, was the best way to highlight any potential tensions.

They said: "We are preparing for the operational impact of a no-deal Brexit, including the impact of delays at borders and ports, potential for protest and disorder, and civil contingencies."

Pembrokeshire has three significant ports - at Fishguard, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven.

It also has the large Pembroke oil refinery.

(Image: copyright unknown)

In January, Dafydd Llewellyn, the police and crime commissioner for Dyfed-Powys Police, said he had "put bids in to ensure specific resources are in place" after Brexit, referring to the potential risk of civil unrest.

His bid, which was subsequently agreed, means ‘public order units’ will be on standby after March 29 in Pembrokeshire.

A public order unit, also known as a police support unit, is a unit of police officers who are specially-trained to deal with situations where crowds of people may be involved.

Gwent Police and North Wales Police said it was "business as usual" and they had not issued a similar letter or made plans for public order units to go on standby at the end of March.

South Wales Police said it was considering worst-case scenarios to inform its planning for a no-deal Brexit.

A spokesman said: "South Wales Police is preparing for the operational impact of a no deal EU exit, including the impact of a number of scenarios including the potential for protest and disruption to transport and supplies. We have reviewed government planning assumptions and assessed the threat and risk of a range of possible scenarios – this is kept under regular review.

"We have no intelligence to suggest a rise in crime or disorder at this time but we are considering worst case scenarios to inform our planning.

"Working with others, we are ready to respond to emergencies to ensure the safety of the public. EU exit presents an unprecedented set of circumstances and a number of policing challenges in the months ahead."

Allocation of resources and equipment is entirely a matter for individual police and crime commissioners and chief constables. A Home Office spokesperson confirmed it had not given any specific guidance to Welsh forces on how to prepare for Brexit.

The spokesman said: "We are working closely with operational partners – including the police – on contingency planning so we can ensure the safety and security of our citizens in all scenarios.

"We continue to work with the police to assess the possibility of any unrest."