Dyfed-Powys PEEL 2014

The Dyfed-Powys force area remains one of comparatively low crime, and crime has decreased at around the same rate as for England and Wales as a whole over the last four years.

The force is improving its approach to victims and there is a commitment from the leadership to provide a victim-centred service. The force is taking steps to understand better the causes of victim dissatisfaction and, despite financial cuts, it is still committed to sending an officer to attend every crime.

Dyfed-Powys has good working relationships with partners to prevent crime and reduce offending, and it has plans to develop these further.

Dyfed-Powys Police recognises the importance of providing an effective response to victims and identifying vulnerability at the first point of contact. The quality of victim contact is good for those victims assessed as high-risk, but there are some inconsistencies in the way other victims are treated.

HMIC found that investigations are generally carried out effectively and supervision is good. CID detectives in the force are professionally trained and accredited, but the training in investigations for uniformed officers is more limited.

There is some good work in dealing with the most prolific offenders through a joined-up approach with partners, tackling those offenders causing the greatest risk to the public to prevent them from reoffending.

Anti-social behaviour is a clear strategic priority for Dyfed-Powys Police and well understood by staff.

There is a strong commitment at all levels in the force to understanding and tackling local concerns.

The force works well with local partners to share information and find joined-up solutions to anti-social behaviour problems.

There is a good focus on understanding and managing the risk to victims of anti-social behaviour, and ensuring that they get the service they need from the police and partners.

The domestic abuse inspection found that the public could have confidence that Dyfed-Powys Police was committed to providing a good response and taking robust action with regard to perpetrators. However, the inspection found that there were a number of different routes through which a domestic abuse incident may be dealt with by the police, which caused confusion and resulted in a lack of clarity as to who was responsible for managing the risk, safety planning, victim contact and supervision. This meant that the force could not be confident that victims were consistently receiving the service they needed.

The crime inspection found evidence that Dyfed-Powys had made good progress to improve its response to domestic abuse. Positive action was taken against offenders in a high percentage of cases, and the inspection identified that there were good standards of investigation and supervision. The inspection also reviewed Dyfed-Powys’ domestic abuse action plan and found that the force has produced a plan that outlines activity that is in line with the agreed national priorities. There is no clear direct reference to the specific HMIC recommendations for the force, although evidence within the action plan details activity being carried out that supports what is required by those recommendations.

The crime inspection found that while the force had specialist assets to tackle organised crime groups all staff understood that they have a role to play in this by submitting intelligence and working with partners to protect the community.

The value for money inspection found that the all-Wales counter-terrorism unit, known as WECTU, and the serious and organised crime collaboration, known as Tarian, were mature and effective arrangements.

There was no Strategic Policing Requirement inspection for this force.