16 Jul 2021
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has confirmed that he has been elected as an Executive Board Member to the National Rural Crime Network.
The National Rural Crime Network is a unique collaboration between Police and Crime Commissioners in Wales and England and a wide range of organisations who have a deep interest in community safety and rural affairs.
Formed in 2014, the Network is working to see greater recognition and understanding of the problems and impact of crime in rural areas so more can be done to keep people safer.
Tackling Rural and Wildlife Crime has been one of PCC Dafydd Llywelyn’s priorities since being elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys. Having worked with the Force to develop a Rural Crime Team in Dyfed-Powys, he has more recently been working with partners from across Wales, to establish a national Rural and Wildlife Crime Co-ordinator role to work with all forces in Wales.
PCC Llywelyn also committed funds to a new joint initiative with North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner – Future Farms Cymru, which aims to increase the uptake of technology on farms with a view of reducing crime and making it easier to detect. Earlier this month, the PCC visited one of Future Farms Cymru’s demonstration farms in Ceredigion to see the impact of the technology on farm safety, as well as the welfare of livestock.
PCC Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Being the largest geographical Police Force in Wales and England, covering over 4,100 square miles with vast rural communities, tackling rural and wildlife crimes can be challenging.
“We are well aware that every single crime bites hard in someone’s livelihood and causes anxiety in the community, and our Rural Crime team here in Dyfed-Powys are doing an excellent job in supporting the rural and farming communities.
“Anything we can do to make it more difficult for criminals, has to be a positive move. By being elected to the executive board of the National Rural Crime Network, I will not only be able to share good practice of our work here in Dyfed-Powys, but also understand more about the work going on in other parts of the UK.
“I look forward to meeting with other members of the Network later on this year so that we can work collaboratively to make our rural communities safe”.
ENDS
More information
Gruff Ifan
Policy and Engagement Advisor
