AN OFFICIAL report has revealed 'substantial improvements' in the work of Dyfed-Powys Police.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has today published a report evidencing substantial improvements across a number of key areas of work.

In May last year the inspectorate issued the force with an accelerated cause of concern relating to crime recording standards, but in June 2022 they confirmed that Dyfed-Powys Police had made good progress, had improved in almost all aspects of crime recording and the cause of concern was discharged.

When Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis took up his post in December of last year, he committed to ensuring that the force would provide a service to the standard that the workforce would want for their loved ones should they ever need them.

County Times: Dyfed Powys Police chief constable Richard Lewis. Pic: Dyfed Powys Police

Dyfed Powys Police Chief Constable Richard Lewis.

Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis said: "No one likes to hear that they should be doing better, especially an organisation whose primary function is to safeguard those that need us most.

"I'm delighted to say that the cause of concern has been written off after we've been able to evidence substantial improvements and in rapid time.

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"And the publication of this fuller report today is encouraging, with improvements noted in four areas of assessment namely - victim service, crime data integrity, the investigation of crime, and the managing of offenders. This marks a significant improvement in the service we provide.

"We are now monitoring our performance on a daily, weekly and monthly basis and we've been doing this for several months. This places us on a positive trajectory which is reflected in today's report.

"Working like this with a continuous improvement mindset is a sustainable and sensible approach and has already borne significant fruit."

One of the areas he is proud of the operational improvements made at Dyfed-Powys Police is stop search.

By setting a vision to continuously improve, as opposed to setting arbitrary targets, the force has seen stop search increase by 71 per cent for the last six months, set against last year's numbers.

Dr Lewis added: "However, we are not complacent and will not stop to celebrate the improvements contained in this report.

“But instead focus on our desire to further improve in areas set out by the inspectorate and the crucial feedback from our communities, which is of equal value, if not more than that of the inspectorate.

“My thanks go to the Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn for his support and the hard work of our incredible staff, officers and volunteers at Dyfed-Powys Police who work tirelessly every day. It is their work that has been realised in these improvements."