A SPOKESPERSON for Wellington Police has said that officers on the beat are just as frustrated as the public when seemingly lenient sentences are handed out to criminals.

Sgt Jon O’Connor attended Wellington Town Council’s monthly meeting on Monday (December 1) where he gave his regular update on policing in the area.

Cllr John Thorne said people were fed-up with criminals not receiving longer sentences and even more so when they were released earlier.

He said: “People expect tougher sentences for crimes and people expect criminals to spend longer behind bars,”

Sgt O’Connor replied: “It is frustrating for us.”

He was thanked by the town council for the police’s ongoing efforts to try and keep the Wellington area safe.