Police bosses are ready to take on an extra 42 officers in the Dyfed-Powys area after details of their funding was confirmed.

Chief Constable Mark Collins said the force welcomed the Home Office announcement about its 'uplift' programme and has a "contingent of future officers who have already gone through the recruitment process and are ready and waiting to join us".

He added: "“Confirmation of the numbers allocated to Dyfed-Powys as part of the national officer uplift means we can bring these individuals in at the earliest opportunity. We look forward to deploying them into the areas where we know they’ll make the biggest difference, as early as January.

“I look forward to seeing who else steps forward for a rewarding career with Dyfed-Powys Police when we next open for recruitment on January 9.”

Chief Constable Collins said the force was able to act quickly due to the introduction of a new joint recruiting system for policing in Wales

However, Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn was more guarded in his response to the funding announcement and queried how the new posts would be paid for in the long term.

He said: “I am positive, but cautious about the announcement of an additional 42 officers for Dyfed-Powys Police. The funding needs to be sustainable and to be sustainable it needs be reflected in the police grant. I’d like to see more detail on this.

“I’m very much looking forward to welcoming those officers of the future the force has ready and waiting to join, and to seeing the difference they will make within our communities."

The Home Office confirmed Dyfed-Powys would be able to recruit 42 new officers, as part of a scheme to employ a further 20,000 across the UK.

It said this would represent an increase in force numbers of 3.7 per cent.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “The public are clear they want to see more police officers on their streets, whether they live in the city or the countryside.

“This is the people’s priority and it is exactly what the UK Government is delivering.

“It means more than 300 extra officers right across Wales, helping to cut crime and keep communities safe.”

The Home Office has also said that all the officers recruited as part of its 'uplift' programme will be additional to those hired to fill existing vacancies.