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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED that the update be noted.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Simon Wright (Pembrokeshire County Council), Les George (Powys County Council), and Elizabeth Evans (Ceredigion County Council).
Member Agenda Item(s) Interest Mrs H. Thomas All Items Family member is currently employed as a Police Officer with Dyfed-Powys Police. They also have a personal association with a former employee of 'PLANED', which received funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), as referenced in Agenda Item 9.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel held on the 17th July 2026 be signed as a correct record.
No matters arising from the minutes of the meeting were raised.
Everyone in Dyfed-Powys wishes to see their local high streets thrive, with diverse shops to provide safe shopping opportunities for locals and visitors alike. In this context, how will the Police & Crime Commissioner urge the Chief Constable to work proactively with local authority Trading Standards officers to crack down on rogue barbers, mini marts and vaping shops in order to promote public safety and community cohesion? Response from the Police and Crime Commissioner • Important to support the prosperity, safety and security of town centres and shopping areas across the Force area, with investments in CCTV infrastructure in 2017 cited as a key example of this commitment. • Approximately 155 cameras are currently in operation across 22 towns within the Force area, monitored by the Force's Command and Control Centre to support the security and safety of those communities. • Engagement between the OPCC, Local Authorities, Trading Standards and partner agencies, including the Fire Service, is primarily facilitated through Community Safety Partnerships. • Formal meetings are held quarterly at the local-area level with Community Safety Partnership Coordinators and Managers to discuss grant and funding opportunities, including those available through the Home Office's Anti-Social Behaviour Hotspot programme. These meetings also provide a forum for operational representatives of the Force to engage with partner organisations and relevant officials involved in the partnerships. • The OPCC has representation at each Force area's Community Safety Board meetings, which provide an opportunity to discuss and receive updates on a range of issues, including community cohesion. • Each Local Authority within the Force area also has multi-agency partnership problem-solving groups that consider and progress the Priority Oriented Policing (POP) plans implemented by the Force's Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams. • The OPCC's role in encouraging the Force to work effectively through these partnerships and respond to community concerns is facilitated through the formal Policing Board structures. • These structures enable the OPCC's representatives to provide strategic oversight of areas such as funding opportunities and to facilitate discussion using representations they have received from different channels, including community visits. • No formal concerns of the specific nature raised had been brought to the OPCC's attention. However, the Panel is encouraged to communicate these to the Office for direct referral to the Chief Constable, and further information or support can be provided where appropriate.
Whilst Dyfed-Powys remains one of the lowest crime areas in England and Wales, one category of crime has remained stubbornly high. In 2025, Dyfed-Powys Police recorded: • 49 reports of livestock theft. • 42 quad bike thefts. • 60 heritage crimes. In the same year, an academic study at Aberystwyth University revealed that 22% of all farms in Wales had experienced crime in 2024. In this context, what is the Police and Crime Commissioner doing, in conjunction with the Chief Constable, to reinvigorate the Rural Crime Strategy? In particular, what strategic engagement is planned on this topic at the upcoming Royal Welsh Winter Fair between the Commissioner and senior officers, NFU Cymru, FUW and CLA Cymru? Response from the Police and Crime Commissioner • The Chief Constable chaired a recent meeting with representatives from the OPCC, NFU Cymru, FUW and Natural Resources Wales to discuss rural affairs and rural crime. • The Sergeant responsible for rural crime across Dyfed-Powys provided a briefing on the latest position, noting that approximately 600 incidents reported to the Force over the past 12 months had been referred to the Rural Crime Team. • The data presented suggested a positive outlook for rural crime, with quad bike and livestock thefts reduced by approximately 20% and 80%, respectively, over the past 12 months. • Representatives noted that the Force's operational activities, including arrests and convictions for livestock theft, have reassured rural communities that the Force is dealing with these issues appropriately. • New legislation introduced by the UK Parliament has strengthened the Force's investigations into livestock worrying issues. This includes greater powers to collect DNA evidence at a crime scene from deceased livestock, take samples from suspected dogs, and obtain warrants to undertake evidence and intelligence-gathering activities. • Rural crime often crosses county boundaries, reinforcing the importance of the Force having a dedicated Rural Crime Team, alongside the revised Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy, to facilitate a direct response. • As part of the revised strategy, the Force is committed to meeting with representatives and partners every six months to review progress, assess effectiveness, and ensure the Force responds effectively to issues in rural communities. Further to the response provided, the Commissioner noted for action that the briefing provided by the Sergeant responsible for rural crime be circulated to the Panel. The following supplementary questions or concerns were raised by the Panel: • The Commissioner acknowledged that rural crime issues are often sophisticatedly planned and executed. The Rural Crime Team's farm visits and crime-prevention advice and guidance are invaluable in addressing these issues, including using 'SmartWater' to support the forensic identification and recovery of stolen assets. • In response to a question about whether 'fly-grazing' had recently been discussed with representatives, and about the respective responsibilities of Local Authorities and the Police in addressing the issue, the Commissioner confirmed it had not been part of recent discussions. It was further noted that fly-grazing is difficult to manage, with primary responsibility resting with the relevant Local Authority and the Force providing support as and where necessary.
Please can the Commissioner provide the Panel with an update regarding the cyber incident involving the force last month. Response from the Police and Crime Commissioner • Dyfed-Powys Police publicly confirmed on 25th September 2026 that it had experienced a cyber incident on 14th September 2026. • The incident primarily affected non-emergency systems; emergency response, operational policing, and 999/101 telephone services were unaffected. Online and email services were temporarily unavailable as a result of the incident but have since been restored. • Since identifying the incident, the Force has been investigating its circumstances, with support from cyber-security specialists and taking action where appropriate. The Force has implemented precautionary measures while the incident investigation and work to restore services safely are ongoing. • The OPCC were also impacted, resulting in business continuity arrangements being initiated on the day of the incident. This temporarily affected the Office's digital accessibility, although full functionality was restored by 18th September 2026. • Both OPCC volunteers and Commissioned services partners were contacted by telephone to apprise them of the technical difficulties being experienced by the Force and the OPCC. • Some OPCC-related activities, including the Community Scrutiny Panel's meeting, had to be rescheduled to allow systems and access to information to be restored. Alternative communication channels had to be established with commissioned service partners, as the unavailability of email services delayed communication of referral information to support providers. • However, each commissioned service had direct communication links to the relevant operational leads within the Force, ensuring continuity in ongoing risk assessments and support for high-risk cases. • Commissioned services continue to monitor referrals to identify potential discrepancies in the information received and to support the system backlog resulting from the incident. • The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) was notified of the incident, and Tarian is conducting an ongoing investigation through its Regional Cyber Crime Unit. Early findings found no evidence that the public's personal data was accessed or compromised. However, the investigation remains ongoing, including whether staff information was accessed. • The incident highlights the importance of cyber resilience and business continuity planning, and the findings will be reviewed to improve plans accordingly. • An Information Security Group sub-group has been established to oversee actions arising from the incident, and findings will be shared with Policing Partners, Local Authorities, and other relevant groups, as all public organisations are vulnerable to cyber threats.
Following the tragic policing incident in Middlesborough last month there has been an increased focus on youth anti-social behaviour in that area. Parts of Dyfed-Powys also experience anti-social behaviour. Under the Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan how does he try to ensure that the Chief Constable addresses these issues in those parts of the force area. Response from the Police and Crime Commissioner • Would like to echo the Panel's sentiments regarding the tragic loss of Cleveland Police Officers following the incident in Middlesborough. The Force remains committed to commemorating Officers across the UK, particularly those from Dyfed-Powys, through annual memorial services at its Headquarters and the Unity Ride. • Regarding anti-social behaviour, keeping communities safe through appropriate situational measures is important. The Force's CCTV infrastructure provides valuable visibility in town centres. However, such behaviour can occur elsewhere, and CCTV cannot be installed everywhere. • There is awareness of the issues occurring in towns and cities across Wales and the UK. There is particular interest in monitoring the effectiveness of enforcement measures such as Newport's proposed approach to banning balaclavas. • The Chief Constable receives public-concern issues through the formal Policing Board structure, which allows the OPCC to bring matters to the Force's attention. These issues are also monitored through Strategic Performance Board meetings, where incident and crime data are reviewed to assess the Force's position. • The latest position indicates that anti-social behaviour is gradually decreasing across the Force area. Home Office funding has contributed to this improvement by enabling additional targeted patrols in town centres. • In addition to situational measures, engagement is also imperative, particularly with young people, and educating them about different behaviours. This forms part of the OPCC's wider commitment, in partnership with the Force, to investing in prevention, intervention and engagement services. • The OPCC plays a supportive role in monitoring and addressing localised issues, including making funding available to help deliver the priorities set out in the Police and Crime Plan and contribute to reducing such issues. • The Force is not immune to these issues, and it recognises pockets of incidents across the four counties. These require continued monitoring and targeted action, including proactive problem-solving by Neighbourhood Policing teams, patrols in hotspot areas and town centres, and engagement opportunities. Supplementary questions and concerns related to the Commissioner's response to the original question on the enforcement of e-bike and e-scooter behaviour issues, funding, and Neighbourhood Policing were raised by the Panel and were addressed accordingly by the Commissioner.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the update be noted.
[NOTE: Mrs H. Thomas having earlier declared an interest in this matter, remained in the meeting during its consideration and voted]. The Panel received a verbal update from the Commissioner on the latest developments regarding the proposed reforms to policing governance arrangements. Members were advised that limited information was currently available on developments and that the Welsh Government was discussing the latest position with the Home Office. The Commissioner anticipated announcements in November, stemming from work on the proposed reforms. Whilst there had been some discussion regarding the potential benefits of extending the existing governance arrangements, the Commissioner advised the Panel that no formal confirmation had been received about this, and any such proposal remained speculative. RESOLVED that the update be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
[NOTE: Mrs H. Thomas having earlier declared an interest in this matter, remained in the meeting during its consideration and voted]. The Panel considered a report setting out the progress made across 2025/2026 against the policing priorities outlined in the Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan. In addition to the report under consideration, the Commissioner also provided the Panel with information from the Force's latest inspection report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). Across the nine areas of policing assessed, the Force received a 'Good' rating in four areas, 'Adequate' in four, and 'Requires Improvement' in one. The Commissioner highlighted this as a significant improvement over the previous inspection, noting that investments and commitments across a range of areas contributed to better outcomes. While further work remains necessary, the Force has recognised and accepted the identified areas for improvement and is taking appropriate action to address them. RESOLVED that the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
[NOTE: Mrs H. Thomas having earlier declared an interest in this matter, remained in the meeting during its consideration and voted]. The Panel received a report outlining the OPCC's progress in the following priority areas: Prevention, Intervention, and Engagement. In response to reductions in Welsh Government funding, the Force reviewed Intervention, Prevention and Engagement services for children and young people. The review identified opportunities to enhance service delivery through a proactive, collaborative approach. In presenting the report, the Commissioner highlighted that Dyfed-Powys Police's provision is distinctive from that of other forces across England and Wales. The Force's investment in dedicated School Officers and Education Leads for Policing within further and higher education settings, among other examples, demonstrates an enhanced provision that goes beyond what is typically offered elsewhere. The Panel commended the work undertaken to develop and launch the service, recognising its significant positive impact. The Commissioner thanked everyone involved in its development and delivery and emphasised the importance of maintaining the Force's commitment to this work as part of its duty to respond to the challenges facing children and young people. RESOLVED that the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
[NOTE: Mrs H. Thomas having earlier declared an interest in this matter, remained in the meeting during its consideration and voted]. The Panel received a report providing an overview of the Commissioner's administration of grant funding awards for the 2025/2026 period. The Commissioner advised that the OPCC can invest in initiatives that support the priorities set out in the Police and Crime Plan through several funding streams, including the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) Reserve Fund and the Forfeiture Reserve Fund. As documented in the report, each fund supports a range of projects across the Force area. The Panel welcomed the report's clear, concise format, noting that it provided a comprehensive account of how public funds are being invested in projects and initiatives that deliver positive outcomes. RESOLVED that the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
[NOTE: Mrs H. Thomas having earlier declared an interest in this matter, remained in the meeting during its consideration and voted]. The Panel received a combined performance report for review, setting out how the Commissioner and the OPCC are performing against the requirements of the Policing Protocol Order and the OPCC's Business Plan for Quarter 2 of the 2026/2027 financial year. In presenting the report, the OPCC's Chief Executive apprised the Panel that a minor reduction in overall performance had been reported for the period. This was primarily attributed through downgrades to certain objectives to Amber, including the 'Performance Framework' and the 'Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)' objectives. However, improvements in performance of the 'Scrutiny Representation' and 'Victims Needs Assessment' objectives had also been noted with their upgrade to a Green RAG rating. The following questions or concerns were raised by the Panel: • In response to a question regarding the anticipated progression of objectives currently rated Amber to Green, confidence was expressed that performance against these objectives would improve over the next quarter. Actions such as aligning processes with the new guidance on ASB Case Reviews are expected to support this improvement, although the ongoing impact of the recent cyber incident may slow progress. • Regarding the funding for the 'Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) Perpetrators Programme', the Commissioner noted that the outcome of ad hoc funding bids is difficult to predict. However, the Panel was reassured that statutory services and associated responsibilities in this area had already been commissioned, with established timescales in place. RESOLVED that the report be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
[NOTE: Mrs H. Thomas having earlier declared an interest in this matter, remained in the meeting during its consideration and voted]. The Panel considered a report on decisions made by the Commissioner between the 22nd of June and the 6th of October 2026. Section 28 (6) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 requires all decisions and actions undertaken by the Commissioner to be reviewed in alignment with the discharge of their functions, with reports and recommendations related to those decisions and actions to be made as considered appropriate by the Panel to the Commissioner. In response to a question about the 'Vehicle Replacement' decision, clarification was sought on how widely electric vehicles were being used. The Commissioner advised that an increasing proportion of the Force's fleet had transitioned to electric vehicles, with further expansion planned where practical amid rising fuel costs and to maximise the cost-avoidance benefits linked to the Force's investment in solar energy infrastructure. RESOLVED that the report be received.
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