Funding boost welcomed as officers return to frontline roles

16 March 2026

Dyfed Powys Police Federation chair Delme Rees has welcomed investment which has allowed a number of officers to return to frontline roles.

The Force has received an increase of £170.9 million in ringfenced Government funding to boost the number of response and neighbourhood police officers.

It has also received support from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office.

The investment has been used to allow 32 officers to move back to neighbourhood and response duties from other roles in the Force, which have now been filled by police staff.

Welcoming their return to frontline policing at the start of this month, Delme said that response and neighbourhood roles were the foundation of policing.

Specialist roles

Delme said: “On St David’s day, a number of officers returned to frontline policing, either in response or neighbourhood policing roles.

“This was as a result of the neighbourhood policing guarantee funding and OPCCs funding.

“All other investigative and specialist roles in policing ultimately draw from the frontline.

“It's vitally important the frontline gets the investment it needs, to ensure it has sufficient officer strength.

“It's the role where most officers start their policing career, and it needs to retain experience as well as resilience to ensure it is a supportive environment for probationer officers.

“The additional funding is a welcome further investment in delivering local policing in Dyfed-Powys.”

READ MORE: Branch supports multi-year police pay rise plan.