Welsh Lib Dems want Police and Crime Commissioners to engage properly with local communities

TODAY (9th January 2024) in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have urged the Welsh Government to ensure that Police and Crime Commissioners are properly engaging with local communities when it comes to their safety.

Back in 2021 in their Senedd manifesto, the Welsh Lib Dems pledged to pursue the devolution of policing in Wales.

Commenting, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds said:

“Countless cuts to services and the withdrawal of much needed funding has impacted public services right across Wales, including our police forces.

The proposed reprioritisation of funding away from PCSOs in the draft budget could potentially send a message to local communities across Wales that their safety is not a priority.

In April 2022, I held a community meeting in Aberystwyth with Cllr Mair Benjamin, Dyfed Powys police and the police commissioner to discuss the potential undertaking of several community safety initiatives in the town.

Fast forward two years ago and these initiatives have still not seen the light of day. And while the Police and Crime Commissioner claims that they are pursuing the matter, I have been told by councillor Benjamin that they themselves have received no updates.

What should have been a meaningful and beneficial two-way conversation between the local community and its police force, has instead turned stale.

PCSOs play a vital role in supporting and protecting the safety of local communities by providing a direct link between the police and residents most at risk.

In these uncertain times a good relationship between the police and the public they serve is needed now more than ever. We must focus more on strengthening this bond instead of allowing it to wither and die by a thousand cuts.”