The Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel met on Friday 16 October 2026 to discuss a range of issues including rural crime, anti-social behaviour, cyber security, and police governance reform. The panel received updates on the progress of the Police and Crime Plan and heard about the revitalised prevention, intervention, and engagement service.

Tackling Rural Crime

Councillor William Powell raised concerns about the persistent high levels of rural crime in the Dyfed Powys area, citing statistics on livestock and quad bike thefts. The Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr. Thomas, reported that a recent strategic meeting with farming unions and National Resources Wales, chaired by the Chief Constable, had discussed these issues. He highlighted a significant reduction in quad bike thefts (over 20%) and livestock thefts (nearly 80%) in the last 12 months, attributing this success to operational activities and new legislation regarding livestock worrying. The Commissioner also confirmed that a dedicated rural crime team is in place and that a strategy, relaunched this year, includes regular strategic meetings with farming unions. He offered to circulate a briefing document from Inspector Matt Howells to panel members.

Councillor Keith Evans congratulated the force on collaborative efforts to prevent quad bike theft. Councillor Ken Howell shared an anecdote about sophisticated organised crime groups targeting farms, emphasizing the need for farmers to be aware of these tactics. The Commissioner acknowledged the sophistication of these groups and highlighted the force's crime prevention advice, including the use of SmartWater technology. He also mentioned ongoing investigations into cross-border criminal activity. Councillor Jonathan Grimes raised the issue of fly-grazing, which he described as a crime that blurs responsibility between the police and the council. The Commissioner confirmed that fly-grazing was not discussed in the recent meeting but acknowledged its specific nature to Pembrokeshire and offered support to address the issue.

Addressing Anti-Social Behaviour

Councillor William Powell also questioned the Police and Crime Commissioner's strategy for addressing anti-social behaviour (ASB). The Commissioner reiterated his commitment to town centre thriving and highlighted the existing CCTV infrastructure across the force area. He noted that ASB data has been reducing across the force area and mentioned the use of Home Office funding for ASB hotspot patrols. The Commissioner also spoke about engagement and education initiatives for young people, referencing a forthcoming paper on prevention, intervention, and engagement investments.

Councillor Jonathan Grimes expressed concern about ASB, particularly relating to e-bikes and e-scooters, and their potential link to organised crime and drug supply. He noted the dangerous speeds of these vehicles and the challenges police face in pursuing them. The Commissioner agreed wholeheartedly with the link between ASB and organised crime, stating that information flow from the community to the police is crucial. He also mentioned a new road safety fund from his office, which includes projects related to e-bikes and e-scooters, focusing on education about legislation. Councillor Ken Howell shared his positive experience at a Newcastle Emlyn town council meeting where the return of traditional policing methods was discussed, a sentiment the Commissioner echoed, highlighting the increased resources for neighbourhood policing teams.

Cyber Incident and Police Governance Reform

Councillor Keith Evans enquired about the cyber incident involving the force the previous month. The Commissioner confirmed that on 25 September 2026, Dyfed Powys Police publicly disclosed a cyber incident identified on 14 September 2026, which caused disruption to non-emergency systems. He assured the panel that emergency response systems were not affected and that online and email contact had been restored. An investigation, supported by cyber security specialists and managed by the regional crime unit, was ongoing. No evidence of personal data breaches for the public was found, but investigations continued into potential staff data compromise. The Commissioner's office also experienced temporary disruption but restored full functionality by 18 September 2026.

The panel received an update on the reform of police governance, particularly in Wales. The Commissioner expressed his belief that policing should be devolved to the Welsh Government. He noted that details regarding the reform, including potential changes to the Police and Crime Commissioner function, were still scarce, with Lord Hogan-Howe's review having concluded and been shared with the Home Secretary. He highlighted upcoming critical meetings involving the UK Prime Minister, First Ministers, and a cabinet focus on devolution, anticipating announcements around the National Police Chiefs Council and Police Commissioners Conference in mid-November. The Commissioner also raised concerns about the timescale for delivering these reforms, given the upcoming general election and the end of his term in May 2028. He mentioned ongoing discussions about the future of the National Police Air Service and the complexity of integrating various policing functions into a potential new National Police Service.

Police and Crime Plan Progress and HMICFRS Report

The panel received a progress report on the Police and Crime Plan, which included an update on the HMICFRS report for the force. The Commissioner stated that the force was graded good in four areas, adequate in four, and requires improvement in one. He noted this as a considerable improvement from previous inspections. The good gradings were in attracting, developing, and retaining the workforce; using powers fairly and appropriately; preventing and deterring crime and ASB; and responding to 999 and 101 calls. The adequate grading for leadership and force management was a disappointment to the Chief Constable, while investigating crime was identified as the area requiring specific action, having dropped from good in previous inspections. The Commissioner expressed reassurance that the force was being open and honest about the areas for improvement and was working through the recommendations.

Prevention, Intervention, and Engagement Service

The panel received a comprehensive report on the revitalised prevention, intervention, and engagement service. The Commissioner highlighted that this service is unique to Dyfed Powys and goes beyond what is delivered in other police force areas. He detailed additional resources, including seconded police officers in youth offending teams, retained school officers, and new education leads for policing linked to further and higher education. The service stems partly from the loss of Welsh Government funding from the health budget for educational activity. Panel members congratulated the Commissioner on the initiative, with Councillor Gwyn Thomas praising its aim to keep young people out of the legal system and noting the positive impact on pupils, with one expressing a desire to join the police.

Funding Report and Performance Monitoring

A funding report was presented, detailing the various funds available to the Commissioner, including the Commissioner's Fund, Sailor Fund, Property Reserve, Proceeds of Crime Act Fund, Forfeiture Reserve, Driver Retraining Scheme, and Innovation Fund. The report outlined how these funds are used for force-wide and county projects. The panel noted the report, with one member commenting on its readability and how it demonstrates the positive use of money recovered from criminal activity.

The panel also received a performance monitoring report, which demonstrated the Police and Crime Plan as a live document. While one objective, the performance framework, had been downgraded to amber following an internal audit, the report indicated that work was in progress to address the recommendations. Victim needs assessment and scrutiny representation had been upgraded to green. The funding bids for violence against women and girls perpetrator programmes remained amber pending confirmation. The Commissioner expressed confidence that the amber items would be addressed promptly.

Decisions Made by the PCC

The panel reviewed decisions made by the Police and Crime Commissioner over the last three months. Questions were raised regarding vehicle replacement and the use of electric vehicles. The Commissioner confirmed that a proportion of the fleet is electric, with an ambition to increase this, acknowledging the challenges of using electric vehicles for 24/7 police response. He also mentioned the development of a solar facility at police headquarters to help manage electricity costs. The panel accepted the decisions report.

The next scheduled meeting of the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel will take place on 22 January 2027 at 10:30 in Haverfordwest. The strategic performance board meeting, originally scheduled for 5 November 2026, has been postponed due to remedial work following the recent cyber incident and its information will be considered at the January meeting.