Dyfed Powys Police to Recruit 33 New Neighbourhood Officers
Big changes are coming for neighbourhood policing in Dyfed Powys. Thanks to a new cash injection announced by the UK Government, the region will see 33 extra police officers joining the force over the next year. The £1.4 million allocation comes from a larger £200 million fund set up to reinforce community policing across Wales and England.
The money for Dyfed Powys isn't being spread thinly. Unlike many other forces that split funding between police officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), and Special Constables, every penny here is going directly to full officers. The aim? Put more boots on the ground in towns and villages that have felt the pinch from years of cuts and stretched resources.
This new push slots into a broader plan: the government wants to bring in an extra 13,000 neighbourhood policing personnel nationwide by the end of the current Parliament. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper spilled the details on how the money would be shared back in April 2025, and recruitment in Dyfed Powys is set to get rolling within the next year.
After Years of Strain, a Focus on Presence—and Retention
If you live in Dyfed Powys, you've probably noticed fewer familiar faces on the beat. Local policing has taken a hit since austerity measures started biting a decade ago. Dedicated neighbourhood officers often got pulled off their usual rounds to tackle surges in demand, and numbers thinned out as recruitment slowed and people left the job.
Delme Rees, who heads up the Dyfed Powys Police Federation, welcomed the new funding but didn't mince words about the challenges. He pointed out that finding new recruits is just one part of the equation—the real trick is keeping them. Over the last few years, heavy workloads and a shifting public mood have seen many experienced officers walk away, adding to the strain for those left behind.
The government’s scheme is designed to fix more than just numbers. By pumping cash into neighbourhood policing, it's hoping to rebuild the connection between officers and the communities they serve. Regular patrols, visible officers on the streets, and more opportunities for local engagement could all help to make neighbourhoods feel safer and more connected again.
- £1.4 million dedicated solely to full police officer roles
- Part of a four-year nationwide plan for 13,000 extra personnel
- Local federation calls for solutions to officer retention
- Recruitment set to start within the coming year
Years of underinvestment left local forces making tough choices about how to use shrinking teams, with neighbourhood policing often paying the price. Now, the spotlight is back on rebuilding these teams—and making sure they stick around for good.