The commissioner of Powys' police force has backed plans to devolve the justice system in Wales.

Dafydd Llywelyn joined with his fellow police and crime commissioners from across Wales in backing plans set out by the Welsh Government today to allow the country to devolve its justice system.

The Labour government in Cardiff warned the Westminster-run system is “pulling the shutters down” on access to justice.

A document published on Tuesday set out how a Welsh justice policy would work based on “prevention through tackling social challenges and rehabilitation, instead of a more punitive approach”.

The proposals were welcomed by the four Welsh police and crime commissioners who agreed that handing over law and order powers would be the “logical next step in the devolution journey”.

The Welsh Conservatives said the Welsh Government ought to be focusing on devolved issues and the cost-of-living crisis rather than attempting a power grab, and accused First Minister Mark Drakeford of “pandering to his nationalist coalition partners” Plaid Cymru.

The report, Delivering Justice for Wales, argues the delivery of law and order would be more effective and fair if handled by the devolved nation.

Counsel General Mick Antoniw said: “The only sustainable way to improve the justice system is to reduce the number of people coming into contact with it.

“Our publication sets out the innovative ways in which we are using the powers we have, including early intervention to steer people away from the criminal justice system, and how we would seek to build on that through a fully devolved justice system.

“But the policies of successive UK governments since 2010 have firmly pulled the shutters down on access to justice, threatened fundamental rights and protections, and removed vital funding.

“We look forward to justice and policing being devolved to Wales so we can accelerate this work and deliver a better system for citizens, communities and businesses across Wales.”

Future plans under current power constraints include considering the case for a Welsh Human Rights Bill, attempting to improve the legal sector landscape in rural and post-industrial areas, and creating an independent system of tribunals in Wales, as recommended by the December 2021 Law Commission report on devolved tribunals.

Tory shadow counsel general Mark Isherwood said Labour ministers were “out of touch” and misrepresenting the UK Government’s policy agenda as well as the true cost of their proposals.

In a joint statement Alun Michael, Dafydd Llywelyn, Andy Dunbobbin and Jeff Cuthbert, police and crime commissioners for South Wales Police, Dyfed-Powys Police, North Wales Police and Gwent Police, said: “It is our considered view that the way that policing and criminal justice in Wales has been delivered through the pandemic consolidates the case for devolution, in the best interest of the delivery of justice in Wales and of joined-up services to the public.”