One in 20 police officers in Dyfed-Powys are self-isolating – but there's also less crime for them to tackle, the force's Police and Crime Commissioner has said.

Dafydd Llywelyn has called for offers to be tested to they can return to front-line duty if they do not have the virus.

About five per cent of the force’s workforce of 2,000 – which includes support staff and police community support officers – were self-isolating as of the end of last week, Mr Llywelyn added.

He said he understood that frontline health staff should be prioritised for testing, but hoped this will be scaled up.

“If a police officer doesn’t have coronavirus, they could be out operationally,” said Mr Llywelyn.

“These frustrations are not unique to policing.”

The commissioner revealed that the force’s Llangunnor headquarters, near Carmarthen, has been split into three locations for operational reasons for the time being.

Many support staff are working remotely from home.

He said: “The police are going about their business in a relatively similar way to normal.

“We are still going to all calls. We have seen some reduction in demand – people are self-isolating and there isn’t the town centre disorder.”

Mr Llywelyn said licensing sanctions were being discussed for pub landlords who ignored Government advice and stayed open.

He said it was likely that officers would have more of a role backing up emergency health services in the community.

The force is part of a multi-agency group which plans for a range of hazards, including health emergencies.

Mr Llywelyn and his wife – a teacher – have five children, aged two to 18, and are among those attempting to look after their children during the outbreak.

“My wife will be working certain days,” he said. “We will try and juggle as best as we can.”