WHILE most of the country wakes up and races to look under their tree on Christmas morning, Dyfed-Powys Police officers will be preparing for business as usual.

Colleagues across the force will be on duty round the clock to help keep our communities safe.

One officer on duty in Powys on Christmas Day is PC Jim Baines in Welshpool. He was born and bred in the town and has been a police officer for 14 years.

Jim has worked a few before, but with two grown-up children now entering the world of work themselves, this will be the first Christmas where work prevents the family of four from having a full day together over the festive period.

“Saying goodbye to your family and going out the door to work on Christmas Day is hard,” he said.

“My children are now older but it is still hard. We have not got a day where the four of us will all be together this Christmas. That is quite sad, but you have to get on with it.”

Jim is hoping for a quiet day full of Christmas cheer not fall out.

“As long as nothing serious happens I will finish in time for us to have Christmas Dinner together in the evening,” he said.

“If a police response is needed, we are there to ensure they get it. The busier time is the lead up to Christmas and an increase in alcohol-related incidents. Christmas and alcohol do funny things to people.

"Adults tell children to behave or Santa won’t come. They could do with following their own advice as a lot of adults behave far worse at Christmas time.”

If you need police assistance over Christmas, call handlers will be available 24/7.

Call 999 if there is an immediate threat to a person or property, or 101 to make a non-urgent report.

You can also email contactcentre@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk for slow-time, non-emergency queries or advice.