More police to be recruited for the area

More police could be on the way to north Powys after a government commitment, but the local Police and Crime Commissioner has issued a cautious response.

The UK government said Dyfed Powys Police would receive funding for an additional 42 police officers as part of a country-wide package to increase the number of officers.

Chief Constable Mark Collins, welcomed the announcement: “We welcome today’s Home Office announcement of an additional 42 officers for Dyfed-Powys Police in the first year of the uplift programme.
 
“Due to the introduction of a new joint recruitment system for policing in Wales, we are in a really good position as a force and have a contingent of future officers who have already gone through the recruitment process and are ready and waiting to join us.
 
“Confirmation of the numbers allocated to Dyfed-Powys as part of the national officer uplift means we can bring these individuals in at the earliest opportunity. We look forward to deploying them into the areas where we know they’ll make the biggest difference, as early as January.
 
“I look forward to seeing who else steps forward for a rewarding career with Dyfed-Powys Police when we next open for recruitment on January 9.”

However, Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said while he welcomed the announcement, he remained cautious.

He said: “I am positive, but cautious about today’s announcement of an additional 42 officers for Dyfed-Powys Police. The funding needs to be sustainable and to be sustainable it needs be reflected in the police grant. I’d like to see more detail on this.
 
“I’m very much looking forward to welcoming those officers of the future the force has ready and waiting to join, and to seeing the difference they will make will within our communities."