Welsh lead congratulates Welsh Police and Crime Commissioners

11 May 2021

The Police Federation’s Welsh affairs lead has congratulated the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) for the four Welsh forces following their election successes.

Nicky Ryan said she was looking forward to building relationships and working closely with the PCCs on the issues faced by frontline officers in Wales high on the agenda.

“As we slowly emerge from the pandemic, we are all considering the challenges we have faced over the last 14 months,” said Nicky, “Throughout the pandemic, police officers have been on the frontline, serving and protecting their communities and putting their own health and wellbeing on the line as they have done so.

“I think police leaders, not just in Wales but across the UK, need to give some serious thought to how officers’ lives have been impacted and the wellbeing of police officers and staff has to be embedded throughout the police service.

“The pandemic has also really highlighted the fact that Wales does have its own Government and that there are differences for police officers in Wales when compared with their colleagues in England.

“I want to work with all four of the PCCs in Wales, and the chief officers, to ensure that our police officers’ voices are heard and acted upon.”

In Thursday’s election, Labour’s Alun Michael was re-elected as PCC for South Wales having been first elected in 2012 when the post was created and then holding on to the position after elections four years later. 

The former Home Office minister said: “While the past 12 months have been immensely difficult for everyone, we have worked with partners in Welsh Government and Local Government to keep the people of South Wales safe and the close joint working has brought about some very positive developments as has the co-operation between all parts of the Criminal Justice System in Wales so I want to thank the public, the members of my own team and to the Chief Constable, Jeremy Vaughan, and officers and staff across South Wales Police.”

Labour’s Jeff Cuthbert has been re-elected for a second term as PCC for Gwent.

Mr Cuthbert emphasised the importance of the police budget and said it was “something we are looking at very seriously indeed”.

He said: “If I don’t make sure that the Chief Constable has enough money for operational purposes then we've got a problem.”

The returning PCC for the Dyfed Powys area is Plaid Cymru’s Dafydd Llywelyn.

Mr Llywelyn said: “I want to ensure that the Dyfed Powys Police Force remains one of the safest places to live in Wales and England.”

The new PCC for the North Wales Police area is Labour’s Andy Dunbobbin.

Speaking ahead of the election, he said: “Visibility in our communities would be my top priority. We all want to be safe and secure – this really matters to us. Having a more visible police presence would reassure our communities and help towards us reclaiming the streets.”