Question from Professor Roffe
Commissioner, the ongoing plans by the Home Office to use Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli to house asylum seekers continues to attract considerable media attention and have an impact on community cohesion. Please can you outline what engagement you have had with the Home office regarding this matter and what steps you are taking to ensure that Dyfed Powys Police is not placed in a disadvantageous position both in relation to the cost of policing the venue and its relations with the local community.
Question from Mrs Helen Thomas
Commissioner, the recent increase in shoplifting nationally has attracted considerable media attention. Has Dyfed-Powys witnessed a similar increase and what steps have you taken either separately from, or in conjunction with, the Chief Constable to address this problem?
Question from Councillor Keith Evans
Commissioner, recent reports have highlighted the dangers posed to young people by vaping. What role do you see police school liaison officers have in tackling this issue and what other steps have you taken or do you propose to take to help address this problem?
Question from Councillor Keith Evans
Commissioner, the new 20mph national speed limit in Wales will only be effective if properly enforced. Are you satisfied that you have sufficient resources to do this? Have you had any discussions with the Chief Constable regarding the approach the force will take to this work?
Minutes:
5.1 Question from Professor Roffe
Commissioner, the ongoing plans by the Home Office to use Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli to house asylum seekers continues to attract considerable media attention and have an impact on community cohesion. Please can you outline what engagement you have had with the Home office regarding this matter and what steps you are taking to ensure that Dyfed Powys Police is not placed in a disadvantageous position both in relation to the cost of policing the venue and its relations with the local community.
Response from the Police and Crime Commissioner
The Home Office announced on the 10th October, 2023 that plans for Stradey Park Hotel to home asylum seekers were being withdrawn. The Dyfed-Powys Police force had been working tirelessly, to ensure safety at the site.
A letter had been sent to the Home Office asking for questions to be answered on the due diligence taken on the selection of the site.
Working figures on the cost of policing was in the region of £300,000 and representations for reimbursement are to be held at the Welsh Affairs Select Committee meeting on the 8th November, 2023.
The Commissioner informed the Panel, that he would also be writing to the Chair of the Home Affairs select Committee, to provide evidence of the experience.
The School liaison team are engaging with communities, to convey positive messages to counteract the negativity young children are viewing on social media.
5.2 Question from Mrs Helen Thomas
Commissioner, the recent increase in shoplifting nationally has attracted considerable media attention. Has Dyfed-Powys witnessed a similar increase and what steps have you taken either separately from, or in conjunction with, the Chief Constable to address this problem?
Response from the Police and Crime Commissioner
There is a national increase in offending, due to the cost of living crisis and some serious and organised criminal activities. To help target criminal activity, assets will be a mature CCTV structure and accurate number plate recognition.
Re-structuring is taking place to allow more officers to be visible in towns.
5.3 Question from Councillor Keith Evans
Commissioner, recent reports have highlighted the dangers posed to young people by vaping. What role do you see police school liaison officers have in tackling this issue and what other steps have you taken or do you propose to take to help address this problem?
Response from the Police and Crime Commissioner
Liaison officers are working with schools as there is an increase in usage. Vaping is prohibited to under 18’s, but it is an issue and it is a problem with school age children.
At a recent Youth Forum at Stradey Park, youngsters spoke to myself and the Chief Constable and raised issues on drugs. The results from the survey on the event has fed into the work of the Chief Constable.
5.4 Question from Councillor Keith Evans
Commissioner, the new 20mph national speed limit in Wales will only be effective if properly enforced. Are you satisfied that you have sufficient resources to do this? Have you had any discussions with the Chief Constable regarding the approach the force will take to this work?
Response from the Police and Crime Commissioner
If the speed restriction reduces fatalities, then the change should be supported. One million people had signed the on-line petition and there was a need to further discuss change. During the last 10 years, there had been a reduction of 20% in fatalities. Investment from Welsh Government had been received to have a behavioural shift. Enforcement will be implemented. Policing officers will have an active role, mainly Go Safe officers. Some of the most dangerous roads in Wales were in Powys and Ceredigion, due to the volume of traffic, driver error and nature of the roads.
In response to a query, the Commissioner confirmed that he would liaise with Sergeant Ian Price to discuss training issues with volunteers.