The Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel met on Tuesday 29 April 2025 to discuss various policing matters, including the role of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), sustainability initiatives, and performance reports. The panel also reviewed decisions made by the Police and Crime Commissioner and discussed proposed changes to the OPCC Business Plan.

Role of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)

Councillor Simon Wright raised a question regarding the potential for increasing the powers of PCSOs in Dyfed-Powys to better support warranted officers. Police and Crime Commissioner David Llywelyn explained that while this is a recurring question, increasing PCSO powers is complex due to funding arrangements with the Welsh Government. He stated that a reduction in PCSO numbers would likely lead to a reduction in grant funding. Mr. Llywelyn emphasised the distinct and valuable role PCSOs play in neighbourhood policing and crime prevention, which he is committed to maintaining as outlined in the Police and Crime Plan. He also noted that the Neighbourhood Pledge is expected to bring additional warranted police officers into neighbourhood policing teams, negating the need to increase PCSO powers. Expanding PCSO powers, he argued, could diminish their visibility and crime prevention role.

Sustainability Commitments

Councillor Karen Davies questioned how the Police and Crime Commissioner's commitments to sustainability, as outlined in the Police and Crime Plan, would be fulfilled. Mr. Llywelyn detailed several initiatives, including membership in the All Wales Sustainability and Decarbonisation Committee and a recent TIA Sustainability Audit. He explained that as a non-devolved body, the force must make a case to be considered for Welsh Government initiatives. Partnerships with other emergency services and unitary authorities are being developed, particularly for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The force has also reduced its office space at Police Headquarters to lower its footprint and has invested in building energy efficiency improvements, including solar panels at Cardigan Police Station. A wider solar farm at Police Headquarters is also being considered, though planning and grid connection issues need to be addressed. The force employs a dedicated Sustainability and Decarbonisation Officer and interacts with County Councils through Public Services Boards. Success in these commitments, Mr. Llywelyn stated, would ultimately be measured by protecting communities and achieving net-zero targets while minimising environmental impact.

Decisions Made by the Police and Crime Commissioner

The Panel reviewed decisions made by the Police and Crime Commissioner between 1 February and 31 March 2025. A query was raised regarding the uplift for substance misuse funding in Dyfed. The Commissioner confirmed that the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) funding had been increased by 15% to promote a more proactive service and closer cooperation with Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams. Success is monitored through Area Planning Boards, with drug-related deaths in the Dyfed Powys area being lower than comparative areas. The Commissioner offered to circulate a summary of performance data following the meeting. An update on the future progress and success of pilot schemes for 'Prevention and Engagement Services for Children', due to roll out in May 2025, was also agreed to be provided. A written response was promised regarding a question on the single tender award for 'Storage and Archiving Images (Forensics) - CSI Hubs and SSQ HQ', as the information was not available during the meeting. The Commissioner also clarified that the Joint Corporate Governance Framework is managed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Monitoring Officer and is reviewed annually.

Policing Protocol - Performance Report

The Panel reviewed the performance report for the Policing Protocol for Quarter 4 of the 2024-25 financial year. It was noted that many actions, including those related to the funding of the capital programme, the medium-term financial plan, and the police precept, had moved from Amber to Green status. A question was raised about the details of the Joint Strategic Equality Plan, and it was advised that a copy of the plan, supported by a detailed action plan, could be provided to Panel members. In response to a question about vetting queries, the Commissioner highlighted the increasing complexity of vetting processes due to social media and home visits, and the greater number of roles requiring vetting. He assured the Panel that improvement activities were underway to address concerns about the timeliness of the vetting process.

OPCC Business Plan - Progress Report

The Panel received the progress report for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (OPCC) Business Plan for Quarter 4 of the 2024-25 financial year. The report detailed that actions varied in performance, with some completed and others still in progress. The Commissioner alluded to the uncompleted 'Domestic Homicide Review' action, as the force was no longer part of the pilot scheme. Developments in Q4 included governance changes, particularly concerning commissioning services to focus on the Strategic Performance Board. A question was raised about supporting local retailers with shoplifting, and the Commissioner noted meetings with a retail consortium and engagement with retailers in town centres. The use of the force's CCTV infrastructure, comprising approximately 160 cameras across 26 towns, was also mentioned as a tool to monitor such issues. The Commissioner agreed with the point raised about the role of PCSOs in reducing crime in town centres.

Proposed Changes to the OPCC Business Plan

The Panel received a report outlining proposed changes to the OPCC Business Plan to align with the Commissioner's new Police and Crime Plan. The OPCC intends to move towards a longer-term, multi-year planning approach to enhance responsiveness to current and future aspirations. A question was raised about integrating this longer-term planning into operational police elements and addressing the turnover of senior and middle-manager police officers. The Commissioner acknowledged the intention to involve others in the plan's delivery and recognised the prevalent issue of officer turnover and length of service within the force and policing generally.

Police and Crime Panel Annual Report

The Panel considered the 2024-2025 Annual Report for the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel. The report outlines the Panel’s activities during the past year and its priorities for 2025-2026. The Chair thanked Mr Robert Edgecombe for his work in preparing the report. The Panel resolved to accept the draft annual report.

Road Safety and Traffic Crime in Powys

Councillor William Powell raised concerns about significant traffic crime, including speeding and motorbike-related issues, on roads such as the A406, A4215, and A470 in Powys. He highlighted the lack of visible police presence and the ineffectiveness of Go Safe operations in the area. Councillor Powell also noted the absence of PCSOs at community council meetings and their lack of presence at local markets, despite issues like livestock theft. He mentioned a petition with 560 signatures regarding traffic issues in Powys, which will be presented to the Panel in July. Police and Crime Commissioner David Llywelyn assured Councillor Powell that road safety is a priority and that the force is adequately resourcing Operation Annex, a road safety initiative targeting motorcyclists, particularly in Powys, which has a disproportionate number of road fatalities linked to motorcyclists. He also confirmed that road policing structures are being enhanced, with additional officers and vehicles being deployed in Powys.