A vote for Plaid Cymru on May 2nd “will build a policing system that serves the people of Wales”

Plaid Cymru pledge to fight for fair funding, safer streets, and powers over justice at launch Police and Crime Commissioner election manifesto

A vote for Plaid Cymru in the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections on the 2nd of May is a vote for fair funding, safer streets, and a Welsh justice system that will better serve the communities of Wales, Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has said.

Plaid Cymru will launch their Police and Crime Commissioner Election Manifesto at Yr Egin in Caerfyrddin later today (Monday 15 April 2024).

The party’s top manifesto priorities are:

  • Fair Funding for Welsh Police Forces
  • A More Visible Police Service
  • A Welsh Way of Policing - Devolution of Full Criminal Justice Powers to Wales

Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said,

“A decade of Tory cuts have left our police forces underfunded - with Wales getting less than its fair share of police funding per head of population. These challenges have been compounded by the Labour government’s decision to reduce the number of Police Community Support Officers and cut funding for the Wales Police Schools Programme.

“Both Labour and the Tories have failed Wales on justice and policing. Neither have promised to devolve justice and policing to Wales after the next general election, despite three major independent reports recommending the full transfer of criminal justice powers to Wales to create a fairer system.

“Plaid Cymru don’t believe that this is as good as it gets.  Our manifesto is not just an ambitious and wide-ranging program of policies with fairness at its heart, but a statement of principles that Welsh justice is best served in Welsh hands.

“We believe in building a Welsh way of policing – with a focus on crime prevention and protection of victims; fairer funding for our police forces, and ensuring the police are present, visible, trusted and effective, in communities across Wales.

Plaid Cymru Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts MP said,

“This election is a crucial step towards creating a Welsh policing system that genuinely serves the people of Wales. We can elect Police and Crime Commissioners who understand the need for policing that is well-resourced, community-oriented, and accountable to the people of Wales.

“Dafydd Llywelyn boasts an outstanding track record in Dyfed-Powys. His initiatives, such as introducing CCTV in towns across the region, establishing a rural crime team, and increasing the number of police officers and staff, show a commitment to delivering on promises.

“On 2 May, we have the opportunity to build on these successes across Wales by electing more Plaid Cymru PCCs, and to show that policing works effectively when it is led from within our communities – not directed from Westminster.”

Plaid Cymru Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed Powys, Dafydd Llywelyn said,

“It has been an honour to serve as Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed Powys over the last eight years. I know first-hand what it means to work to make our towns and communities safer, and the challenges that this work represents.

“We all know that recent years have been difficult – the Covid pandemic has been followed immediately by a cost-of-living crisis. And this on the back of more than ten years of Tory-imposed cuts which has hollowed out our public services.

“Despite these challenges, I am proud that I have nonetheless been able to deliver on our communities’ priorities for policing. There are 150 more police officers employed across Dyfed-Powys than there were in 2016; investment in CCTV has made detecting and solving crimes easier; and a dedicated Rural Crime Team has improved the police response to the issues impacting our rural communities. All of this has been achieved with lower Council Tax levels compared with every other Police Force in Wales.

“If I am re-elected, my pledge is to build on this record of delivery – I will work to ensure that we protect neighbourhood and community policing; invest in our 999 and 101 service; tackle violence against women and continue to prioritise the needs of our rural communities.

You can read the manifesto here.