Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has spent two days out and about in Powys, meeting and engaging with local communities

Commissioners are elected by the public to hold chief constables and police forces to account, and engagement has a central role to play in helping Mr Llywelyn and his team deliver their responsibilities for the communities of Dyfed-Powys.

He said developing good relationships locally is particularly important, especially when the work undertaken directly involves and affects the local communities. Mr Llywelyn added: "It is also very important that all communities have equal opportunities to be heard, which is why I travelled to Powys on November 6 and stayed there until November 7.

It was a packed couple of days, which included the following highlights on the first day:

• Meeting with Linda Pepper from Dyfodol Powys Futures, in Llandrindod Wells – Dyfodol Powys Futures received funding from the Commissioner’s Community Fund 2019 for its ‘Reaching Out / Estyn Allan’ programme.

• Meeting with Nia Lloyd, director of YFC Wales, in Builth Wells – The YFC received funding from the Commissioner’s Community Fund 2019 for its ‘What’s the Crac’ project.

• To end the first day the Commissioner attended a public meeting in Llanwrtyd Wells; accompanied by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team. It was a great opportunity to find out about local concerns, and importantly for the community to discuss these concerns with their local officers. A vital link was made between the two groups, who are now considering trialling a regular police surgery in Llanwrtyd Wells.

Day two:

• Day two started with an unannounced visit to Newtown custody suite, with the Commissioner shadowing two of his independent custody visitors to ensure that the welfare and needs of those in custody are catered for.

• It was then on to Neath Port Talbot College (NPTC) in Newtown, where the Commissioner dropped into a sampler session presented by the Powys Roads Policing Unit to A Level Public Service students, and met with students from the Gateway to Further Education course to see some of the work they did for Hate Crime Awareness Week. He finished the College visit with a meeting with Sara Clutton, Hafren Theatre manager, and lead on the Hafren Creative Youth Intervention Project which received funding from the Commissioner’s Community Fund.

• The Commissioner’s next stop was with County Councillor Joy Jones; a good catch up on local issues, and then on to the Trehafren Estate, to meet with Gwen Evans, youth officer for Newtown and Welshpool and Melanie Pettit, Hafren community engagement officer. They discussed plans for the project being funded through the Commissioner’s Community Fund - The Creative Youth Intervention Project.

• The day came to an end with a visit to Newtown Youth Club, where the Commissioner sought the opinion of the young youth club members on the local police service.

Mr Llywelyn said: “I really value the opportunity to go out and meet as many people and groups as I can on community engagement days such as these.

“These are great opportunities for me to have open communication with the public, partners and stakeholders, so that the decisions I make are based on a sound understanding of the issues that affect and matter to them.

“It’s also very encouraging to be able to see first-hand the difference funding from my Community Fund really makes out there.

“I will continue to visit different areas on my community engagement days as it is so important that I get to hear your thoughts. Therefore, if you would like to request a visit or appointment please contact my office: opcc@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk / 01267 226440.”