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In March 2023 Dyfed-Powys Police comprised of 1,317 officers, 801 staff, 160 PCSOs and 40 Special Constables.

During 2022/23 the force dealt with 137,974 incidents and recorded 45,450 crimes, representing a 1.1% decrease in recorded incidents since the previous year, and a 6.5% increase in recorded crime compared to 2021/22.

At 4,188 square miles, with 13,842 miles of roads, two large ports, and 350 miles of coastline, the force is over half the land mass of Wales and serves the largest geographical area in England and Wales.

518,062 residents live across extensive rurality, holiday hot-spots and market towns. This population swells by approximately eight million annually due to students at three university sites, and tourism. There are four local authorities and 2 health boards in our force area. We work closely with key partners across the region to explore and deliver innovative methods to reduce and manage demand and have strong links with academia.

The force has been through a change programme which implemented a new operating model. Our IT investments have been in contact management within the Force Communications Centre including a digital desk to improve accessibility; a virtual service for victims of domestic abuse; automation (RPA) of administrative processes; and transfer to the niche records management system (RMS). Niche was launched in May 2023 and has been a period of significant change. The implementation phase has affected the force across many areas of business.

An Estates programme is underway to modernise, including a carbon neutral strategy to improve sustainability, performance and efficiency.

Financial challenges are significant. There is no sign of this easing with inflation and operational spending pressures continuing, but a ‘Force Review’ project is underway which has already assisted in making significant progress in its money saving target.

In March 2021 Dyfed-Powys Police comprised of 1,209 officers, 796 staff, 147 PCSOs and 94 Special Constables.

During 2021/22, the force dealt with 139,520 incidents and recorded 42,650 crimes, representing an 8.4% increase in recorded incidents and a 32% increase in recorded crime compared to 2020/21.

At 4,188 square miles, with 13,842 miles of roads, two large ports, and 350 miles of coastline, the force serves the largest geographical area in England and Wales.

518,062 residents live across extensive rurality, holiday hot-spots and market towns. This population swells by approximately eight million annually, due to students at three university sites and tourism. This motivates the force to be innovative in its use of resources and technology.

Mobile data terminals enable frontline staff to be more visible in local communities. The force has introduced a digital desk within the contact centre to improve accessibility. A strong community spirit assists with harnessing citizen support during investigations.

Dyfed-Powys Police has invested significantly in a change programme to improve crime recording, assessment, allocation, investigation and disposal processes. The force has also invested in technology to tackle increasing demand, including the use of body worn video; vehicle-based telematics; state-of-the-art CCTV; and the introduction of a new NICHE records management system which goes live in force in May 2023.

The force works closely with key partners including academia, to explore and deliver innovative methods to reduce demand.

The financial environment remains challenging with inflation and operational spending pressures continuing. An indicative three-year settlement from government has helped with medium term financial planning and the Commissioner has been able to present a balanced medium term financial plan and capital programme. The force continues to operate within budget and seeks to target any surplus savings and additional uplift of police officers and staff towards spending pressures.