DYFED-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn, is scheduled to meet Powys County Councillors on Monday.

Elected in 2016, Mr Llywelyn is one of two Plaid Cymru politicians who are commissioners of Wales’ four Police Forces.

His role is oversee and and to ensure that Dyfed-Powys Police meet the needs of the community providing “effective and efficient policing.”

He will be discussing issues with members of the economy, residents, communities and governance scrutiny committee and will be part of a wider discussion on crime.

Before he speaks, members of the committee are due to hear an update on crime and disorder figures and trends from the Community Safety Partnership (CSP).

The report will highlight crime rates where Powys is above the national average, and also the issue of ‘County Lines.’

‘County Lines’ is the term used to explain organised exploitation of vulnerable people by organised drug gangs to expand their operations from cities to rural areas.

According to CSP co-ordinator Fay Smith, an increase in ‘Violence against the Person’ of 17.8 per-cent or 381 incidents during the past year is linked to serious organised crime

Ms Smith, said: “Nationally County Lines is having a serious impact upon communities, and Powys is not exempt from this.

“It is important to note that County Lines is only one form of serious organised crime.

“There is also child sexual exploitation, modern slavery and illicit tobacco (smuggling).

Ms Smith adds that in Powys there are six organised crime groups, five dealing drugs and one in relation to illicit tobacco.

Other CSP priorities that have seen a rise are:

Vehicle Offences: Powys has seen an increase of 13.4 per cent or 32 incidents which is well over the national average of two per cent.

Ms Smith explains that this is mainly because of the theft of quad bikes in recent months.

Public order offences, usually referring to the use of or threat of violence or harassment towards someone else, in a public place has increased by 18.4 per cent or 64 incidents.

Ms Smith said: “There are no trends associated with this type of offending.”

But there is some good news in her report.

Powys has seen a reduction of 9.9 per cent or 121 offences of ‘Other Theft’ during 2018/19.