Latest news with #OfficeofthePoliceandCrimeCommissioner
South Wales Guardian
22-06-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Dyfed-Powys Police rolling out safety scheme across force
Dyfed-Powys Police will now use disruption teams as part of Project Vigilant, which aims to prevent sexual and violent offences before they happen. Project Vigilant was first piloted in Carmarthenshire over the Christmas period and will now be expanded force-wide. Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said: "This was a new project for Dyfed-Powys Police that we trialled over the busy Christmas period. "It is an innovative approach to keeping vulnerable people safe while they're out in the evening that has been successful in other forces, and I am pleased to confirm that we will soon be adopting the project across all four divisions." The scheme uses plain-clothed officers trained to spot predatory behaviour, supported by uniformed colleagues who intervene to disrupt potential offences before they occur. Officers are deployed based on intelligence to ensure they are in the right place at the right time. The teams use behavioural observation training to identify individuals displaying predatory behaviour, allowing uniformed officers to step in when necessary. The pilot was funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner under the Serious Violence Duty. On one night during the pilot, plain-clothed officers helped safeguard a vulnerable woman who had become separated from her friends. Uniformed officers were alerted and ensured she got home safely. Chief Inspector Jones said: "Everyone should feel safe on a night out, and nobody should feel the need to change their behaviour to avoid becoming a victim. "By looking out for potential predators, we will ultimately be changing the behaviours of those who could cause harm and making our communities safer for all." Officers involved in the project have praised the training and approach. One officer said: "The input about what behaviours to look out for while on foot patrol is really beneficial to all, protecting members of the public by asking these individuals what they are doing, and being professionally curious. "That one interaction could stop a sexual assault as the suspect will know they're being watched." PCC Dafydd Llywelyn welcomed the wider rollout. Mr Llywelyn said: "I'm pleased to see Project Vigilant now being rolled out across all four divisions following a successful pilot over the Christmas period. "This is a proactive and intelligence-led approach that puts officers in the right place at the right time to identify and disrupt predatory behaviour before harm is caused."
North Wales Chronicle
21-06-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
North Wales Police's performance on hate crime scrutinised
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for North Wales scrutinised the force's performance at the strategic executive board. The board meeting was chaired by police and crime commissioner for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin. Chief constable of North Wales Police, Amanda Blakeman, provided an update on the force's overall performance. This included aspects such as finance and resourcing, collaboration, and the strategic policing requirement. The main focus of the meeting was a detailed examination of the force's performance relating to hate crime and EDI. The commissioner heard updates on public satisfaction data relating to hate crime, including the ease of contact, actions taken by the police, follow-up, and treatment. Other areas scrutinised included community tensions and prevention measures, the supporting role of the independent advisory group, and progress towards achieving the North Wales Police Joint Strategic Equality Plan 2023-2027 objectives. The commissioner also scrutinised the culture within North Wales Police. The force's commitment to improving workplace culture, the ongoing work of the culture board, and the efforts of the culture and inclusion task group were discussed. Mr Dunbobbin said: "As I outlined in my police and crime plan, I will continue to use the strategic executive board to provide me with the opportunity to scrutinise how the chief constable is performing in key areas." He added: "A hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based upon the victim's personal characteristics (or perceived personal characteristics) such as disability, race, gender, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or transgender identity. "I have always been clear that regardless of the reason, it is completely unacceptable. "I wanted to ask the chief constable what work has been done in this area and to be reassured that previous good work has continued. "I was pleased that work such as the Joint Strategic Equality Plan 2023-2027 is progressing. "I was reassured that the chief constable, continues to drive forward these and many other workstreams that are addressing the issues raised, particularly around marginalised communities and striving to having a truly representative workforce. "My team and I will continue the analysis and these important areas to check progress continues." He provided reassurance to the public that he will continue to scrutinise the force's performance and work closely with the chief constable to support ongoing work.
Rhyl Journal
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
North Wales Police's performance on hate crime scrutinised
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for North Wales scrutinised the force's performance at the strategic executive board. The board meeting was chaired by police and crime commissioner for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin. Chief constable of North Wales Police, Amanda Blakeman, provided an update on the force's overall performance. This included aspects such as finance and resourcing, collaboration, and the strategic policing requirement. The main focus of the meeting was a detailed examination of the force's performance relating to hate crime and EDI. The commissioner heard updates on public satisfaction data relating to hate crime, including the ease of contact, actions taken by the police, follow-up, and treatment. Other areas scrutinised included community tensions and prevention measures, the supporting role of the independent advisory group, and progress towards achieving the North Wales Police Joint Strategic Equality Plan 2023-2027 objectives. The commissioner also scrutinised the culture within North Wales Police. The force's commitment to improving workplace culture, the ongoing work of the culture board, and the efforts of the culture and inclusion task group were discussed. Mr Dunbobbin said: "As I outlined in my police and crime plan, I will continue to use the strategic executive board to provide me with the opportunity to scrutinise how the chief constable is performing in key areas." He added: "A hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based upon the victim's personal characteristics (or perceived personal characteristics) such as disability, race, gender, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or transgender identity. "I have always been clear that regardless of the reason, it is completely unacceptable. "I wanted to ask the chief constable what work has been done in this area and to be reassured that previous good work has continued. "I was pleased that work such as the Joint Strategic Equality Plan 2023-2027 is progressing. "I was reassured that the chief constable, continues to drive forward these and many other workstreams that are addressing the issues raised, particularly around marginalised communities and striving to having a truly representative workforce. "My team and I will continue the analysis and these important areas to check progress continues." He provided reassurance to the public that he will continue to scrutinise the force's performance and work closely with the chief constable to support ongoing work.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How to apply for a role monitoring Spennymoor's new custody hub
Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is looking for volunteers to help provide oversight of police custody processes and the welfare of detainees. PCC Allen is recruiting for the Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) scheme, which involves making unannounced visits to custody suites to ensure detainees are being treated fairly and receiving the care they are entitled to. The new volunteers will focus their work at the recently opened Durham Investigative Hub near Spennymoor, which features 48 modern custody cells, interview rooms, medical facilities, and more than 6,600 square metres of office space. Ms Allen said: "Volunteers make a huge difference to the force area, especially within policing. "My Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) scheme is a perfect example, where people donate their time freely to protect the rights of those who find themselves in police custody and help to improve standards of custody care. "Our ICV scheme is entering an exciting period in its history with the recent opening of a state-of-the-art and centralised custody centre. "Our new cohort of volunteers will play a critical role in driving further improvements in our processes and procedures to ensure Durham not only delivers the very best quality of care to detainees but is held aloft as a beacon of good practice nationally. "This is an opportunity to provide a voice for people who may be vulnerable and underrepresented. "If you believe in fairness and equality and have a genuine interest in protecting the rights of vulnerable people, please consider joining our dedicated ICV team – your support is highly valued and appreciated." The ICVs will regularly visit the custody hub to speak with detainees, check that their rights are being upheld, and review the conditions of their detention. They will also examine custody records to ensure staff are meeting their responsibilities, with particular attention given to vulnerable or young detainees. Any concerns raised during visits are discussed with the Custody Sergeant and included in a report sent to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). The ICV scheme is part of the commissioner's commitment to increasing public trust in policing by maintaining high standards of care and transparency within police custody. Read more: Solved: Decades-old mystery of wooden bridge submerged in County Durham river Vacant County Durham building to be turned into takeaway after plans approved Meet the 80-year-old mountain rescue volunteer with 54 years of saving lives The new custody hub offers 24/7 healthcare from qualified medical staff, along with forensic examination rooms, an energy centre, and virtual court facilities. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, live, work, or study in the Durham police area, and have been resident in the UK for at least three years before applying. More information about the role and details on how to apply can be found on the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner's website at
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Arrests after retail crime crackdown
Eight people have been arrested during a week-long campaign to target shoplifting in Surrey. Officers and PCSOs visited retail staff in Guildford and Waverley, while plain-clothed behavioural detection officers, trained to spot suspicious behaviour, blended in with shoppers. Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner said retail crime caused victims "financial, emotional, and sometimes physical harm" and also impacted the wider community. Lisa Townsend, who joined patrols in Farncombe, warned shoplifters: "The person browsing the aisle beside them could be a Surrey Police officer." The commissioner has vowed a return to "back-to-basics policing" in her Police and Crime Plan, a blueprint for the force's priorities over the next three years. She said that Surrey Police's progress had been "really impressive" over the course of the year but that she had heard "loud and clear" that more must be done to tackle retail crime. About 200 members of the business community took part in a survey launched by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Surrey Police in March. The OPCC said a report on retail crime and the force's response will be published in the coming months. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Shoplifter who stole £60k in goods jailed Anti-social cart riding stopped by dispersal order Surrey PCC launches 'back to basics' crime plan Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Surrey Police
