I ddarllen copi Cymraeg o e-fwletin y Comisiynydd Heddlu a Throsedd, cliciwch yma.

To read an English version of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s e-bulletin, click here.

SEPTEMBER was of course dominated by news of the sudden passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Having ruled for 70 years - longer than any other Monarch in British history - her dedication and commitment to her position was unquestionable. I continue to offer my deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this time.

September was also an important milestone for Dyfed-Powys Police as it welcomed its new trainee officers, who for the first time will have the option to undertake their studies through the medium of Welsh.

An important part of my role is getting out and about in the communities I serve. I was grateful to be invited to speak to the Merched y Wawr group in Carmarthen on September 14, and to meet with members of Llanelli Deaf Club and Cllrs Suzy Curry, Andre McPherson and John Prosser on September 29.

I love to see organisations taking creative approaches to solving local issues. The VC Gallery in Pembrokeshire is a fine example of this, and the Premier League’s local youth football programme is another. Read more about these great projects below.

Thank you once again for taking time to read my bulletin. Please feel free to share wider, and if you have any questions you can contact my office by clicking here.

Diolch yn fawr,

Dafydd Llywelyn

Police and Crime Commissioner

Croeso! Warm welcome for first officers to undertake police training in Welsh

THIS month saw the Force’s first intake of student officers who will be able to choose to undertake their learning journey through the medium of Welsh.

Dyfed-Powys Police is collaborating with Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and the University of South Wales to increase the opportunities for Welsh speaking recruits, enabling them to complete as much of the Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) in Welsh as they wish to.

A high percentage of the population here in Dyfed-Powys are first language Welsh speakers, and we have a duty to provide a bilingual service, and ensure our staff have the necessary skills to communicate with the public confidently in Welsh and English.

I am very grateful to the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol for providing us with guidance and support in our planning phases to develop a Welsh-medium provision within police officer training programmes, and for supporting the vision of the Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis and myself.

I MET with Paul Saunders, Beryl Jones, Kati Ferensczi and Kaz Jefferies from Llanelli Deaf Club recently, to see the improvements being made to their premises.

Building work at their New Road base is being undertaken by Willmot Dixon, the firm responsible for the new £15million police station and custody suite project in Dafen.

As part of its contract with Dyfed-Powys Police, Willmot Dixon must ensure it gives back to the community through activities such as offering training and providing practical support - such as materials and labour - to organisations in the local area.

One of those nominated to benefit from this agreement is Llanelli Deaf Club, also known as Llanelli Centre for the Deaf. The centre offers friendship and support for people of all ages who are Deaf/deafened, runs British Sign Language (BSL) courses, and even has its own church!

Members showed us around the building and explained the kind of work they do, all on a voluntary basis and relying solely on funding/grants. It was also invaluable to learn more about the needs of Deaf or deafened people when interacting with the police, and their experiences of crime or reporting incidents.

PCC Dafydd Llywelyn speaks to VC Gallery volunteer co-ordinator Chris Paling. In the background are art supplies and paintings.

Veterans’ art charity is creating a hub for the whole community

I WAS thoroughly inspired by my visit to the VC Gallery’s new Pembroke Dock base last week.

Founded by Army veteran Barry John MBE in 2013, the VC Gallery uses art and other creative projects to engage veterans and other members of the community. Along the way they help combat loneliness and social isolation, supporting people of all ages and abilities, including individuals with mental or physical disabilities.

Earlier this year the charity’s Pembroke Dock studio moved to bigger premises at the former primary school on Brittania Road. I was given a tour of the site by Barry and volunteer co-ordinator Chris Paling, as they shared their ambitious plans to transform the site into a hub for the whole community.

Find out more about the charity’s legacy here, and keep up-to-date on news and events at the Brittania Road centre here.

Teenage kicks: inspiring through sport

SPORT can benefit children and young people in so many ways - teaching them to work together, improving physical fitness and co-ordination, and building confidence and social skills.

Last week I visited Selhurst Park stadium to talk to the National Police Chiefs Council about the positive influence the Premier League Kicks programme is having in Dyfed-Powys.

Premier League Kicks uses football and sport in general to inspire the next generation, and build community.

In 2021 - following successful pilots in Llanelli and Pembroke - I awarded £300,000 to Swansea City FC Foundation to roll out weekly football sessions to young people in five areas across Dyfed-Powys over three years.

The free sessions also provide local Neighbourhood Police Teams with an opportunity to get involved, and develop positive relationships with youngsters.

The Commissioner at Selhurst Park Stadium.

Image of pre-teen boy standing in front of football pitch with floodlights in background.

Click to watch how Premier League Kicks has helped Harri express himself

Did you know your local policing teams are now on Facebook?

WANT information on surgeries and events organised by your local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), or updates about what’s happening in your area?
Click the links below to visit your nearest policing team’s page.

Anti-Racism Action Plan for Wales

CRIMINAL Justice in Wales launched its new Anti-Racism Action Plan in September, outlining the determination of partners to do all they can to root out racism across the courts, probation and prison systems, and within policing.

Image showing two women, one caucasian and one black, listening to a speaker out of shot. Text is the seven points of the anti-racism action plan.

Pictures of Halloween monsters, with text that reads: Trick or treat? Be a nice monster.

NOT in the mood for trick or treaters this year? Dyfed-Powys Police has produced a free printable poster you can pop in your front window this Halloween.

Click to download