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Croeso - Welcome

Welcome to the latest edition of my e-bulletin. The last month has been another busy one with some key activity taking place. None more important than my annual St David’s Conference, which this year focused on Policing by Consent.

Public confidence and trust in our policing services today is amongst its lowest ever. High profile cases, such as the murders of Sarah Everard here in the UK, and George Floyd in the U.S, to name but two, has cast a light on what appears to be a culture of misogyny, racism, and corruption within policing. The conference was an opportunity to bring together policing colleagues from across the country and beyond, to discuss the challenges we face, and we had the opportunity to have an input from renowned national experts and academics as guest speakers, who shined a light on these challenges and the work that is undergoing to address them. Thanks to all who attended and participated in the discussions You can read more about the conference below.

Another key activity was the Wales Data Analysis Innovation & Improvement Network (WDAIIN) national Conference that I opened in Cardiff. The conference bought together data practitioners across Wales in order to reflect on the way we use information and how we can innovatively move forward together.

We also had some positive news that the Dyfed-Powys Out of Court Disposals (OOCDs) scrutiny panel has been highlighted as best practice in a recent Magistrates Association report

You can read about these key activities below.

Thank you once again for reading.

Dafydd Llywelyn

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner

Policing by consent was the topic of discussion at my annual St David’s Conference this year, which took place on Friday 3 March 2023 at Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters in Carmarthen.

Policing by consent, which is the theory behind the Peelian principles that were designed to define an ethical police force, is heavily reliant on public confidence. Addressing today’s challenges of rebuilding public trust and confidence, is essential to safeguard a legitimate future for policing.

I recently heard a highly regarded and dedicated senior police officer speaking publicly that he has never been so embarrassed and ashamed of working for the Police, despite some of the excellent work that is taking place is some areas of policing.

Rebuilding public confidence in our policing service is essential if we are to safeguard a legitimate future for policing. This cannot be done overnight. It will take years, but it’s our responsibility, and we need to address the challenges, today.

Guest speakers included:

• Professor Richard Wyn Jones and Dr. Robert Jones, authors of the recently published book 'Criminal Justice in Wales: On the Jagged Edge’;

• Professor Emmanuel Ogbonna, who worked with both Welsh Government and Criminal Justice in Wales Board on their Anti Racist Action Plans;

• Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, who is now working for the College of Policing and is the National Police Chief Constables’ lead on violence against women and girls;

• Dr. Nerys Llewelyn Jones who was a Commissioner on the Law Commission which was chaired by Lord Thomas of Cwmgeidd - The Thomas Commission, which undertook a review of the justice system in Wales:

You can watch their input on our Youtube channel below.

I would like to than all who attended conference this year, where we faced challenging and honest statements, and considered where and how do we move forward from here.

Sponsoring national Conference on data driven approach to creating safer communities

On the 8th of March I opened a national Conference in Cardiff that focused on a data driven approach to creating safer communities.

The Conference was organised by Wales Data Analysis Innovation & Improvement Network (WDAIIN), which I am chair of.

The conference bought together data practitioners across Wales in order to reflect on the way we use information and how we can innovatively move forward together.

Guest speakers gave presentations on Data Sharing, Better Outcomes through Linked Data the Tackling Organised Exploitation Programme, and we also had a series of Plenary Sessions focusing on Data Ethics, Data Sharing and Data Analytics.

I was proud to be sponsoring the WDAIIN Conference as I am fully committed to working with partners and communities to improve confidence in public services across Wales. One way of ensuring this is by collectively improving our data collection as partners, in order to not only understand and address any inequalities, but also to identify ground-breaking approaches of ensuring community safety.

Opportunity to visit Dyfed-Powys’ new Custody Suite and Policing Hub, that is currently under construction at Dafen, Llanelli Carmarthenshire.

As part of a national campaign called Open Doors to Construction Sites, there is an opportunity for the public to go on site with construction company Willmott Dixon, to see construction work going ahead on the new Dafen Custody suite as it nears completion.

Approximately 4000m2 in size over two storeys, the project includes construction of 18 new cell custody suites, interview rooms, cells, charge desk, open plan office space and associated meeting rooms and a significant area for mechanical and electrical plant.

This is a modern, sustainable fit-for-purpose policing hub and custody suite that will meet the needs and expectations of modern policing.

The new building will offer a more sustainable environment, while also help protect natural resources. Amongst some of the sustainable credentials of the new building will be a photovoltaic solar power installation to minimise the carbon footprint of the building; a rainwater harvesting facility for toilets and non-potable water, and electric car charging facilities.

There are limited number of spaces left for people to book to go on site during week commencing 13 March 2023. To book your place follow the below link.

Magistrates Report on Out of Court Disposals highlights Dyfed-Powys scrutiny panel as best practice

I am pleased to announce that the Dyfed-Powys Out of Court Disposals (OOCDs) scrutiny panel has been highlighted as best practice in a recent Magistrates Association report: Out of court disposals: Fit for purpose or in need of reform.

OOCDs, is where the police administer justice for low-level or first-time offending, and they are a useful tool for the criminal justice system.

Out of court disposals are victim focused – taking into account the full circumstances of the offence, offender and views of the victim.

The Magistrates Association report on OOCDs has seven recommendations for Police forces in England and Wales and highlights a ‘lack of openness’ in terms of OCCDs findings. It notes that “the majority of OOCD scrutiny panels do not publish their findings publicly; just nine police forces reported that their panels regularly publish minutes, a further ten said they produce an annual report on this matter. Dyfed and Powys stood out as an example of best practice; it publishes not only the minutes of each panel, but also an anonymised summary of the case and the outcome of the review.’

The feedback from the Out of Court Disposal Panel is invaluable to help assess, scrutinise and quality control the use of out of court disposals by Dyfed-Powys Police. To have been identified as best practice in the report is commendable and a true recognition of the work that our panel undertake.

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank members of the Dyfed-Powys Out of Court Disposal Panel for their time and contributions. The Panel’s activity and diligence in promoting best practice and identifying areas requiring improvement is hugely important activity and their contributions are greatly appreciated.

2023-24 Precept Notice

As reported to you in my last bulletin, at the end of January I confirmed the police precept for 2023/24 following a meeting of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel.

After a process of extensive scrutiny, Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel unanimously supported my precept proposal for 2023/24, which will raise the average band D property precept by £1.87 per month or £22.49 per annum, which is a 7.75% increase.

I have now published the 2023-24 Precept Notice which gives tax payers further details on the policing budget for the next financial year. Follow the below link to download a copy. Residents will also receive a link to the notice through their Council Tax notice.

Here for you – Engagement Events

During March and April, I will be holding six engagement events across the Force area to brief community representatives on key messages, developments and changes within Dyfed-Powys Police.

The aim of these events is to brief representatives of local communities, on recent changes and developments within the Police, so that they have a better understanding of what to expect from our local policing service and support us in communicating and sharing information locally.

The events will take place at Carmarthen, Llanelli, Newtown, Brecon, Haverfordwest and Lampeter.

If you would be interested in attending, please send my Office an email, so that we can send further details to you.