**Police Commissioner Stands Firm Against Expanding PCSO Powers in Dyfed-Powys**
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys has firmly dismissed calls to extend the powers of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), citing concerns about visibility, role clarity, and existing plans to boost neighbourhood policing through other means.
During a recent meeting of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel, Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn faced questions regarding whether PCSOs should be given expanded authority to support the workload of warranted officers. The debate echoes a wider, ongoing conversation about the future of neighbourhood policing across Wales and the rest of the UK, particularly as communities seek reassurances on police presence and crime prevention.
PCSOs, introduced as part of neighbourhood policing teams, currently have limited powers, such as issuing fixed penalty notices for offences like littering or confiscating alcohol from teenagers under 18. While they can detain individuals in certain circumstances, they do not possess formal arrest powers typically held by constables. This clear distinction, Mr Llywelyn argued, is essential to their role as accessible and reassuring presences in local communities.
Dafydd Llywelyn, who represents Plaid Cymru and has held office since 2016, was unequivocal in his assessment. “The current blend of sergeant-led neighbourhood policing teams, made up of both PCSOs and sworn constables, is one I hold quite dear,” he told the panel. He emphasised that extending PCSO powers might inadvertently reduce their public visibility, as the added responsibilities would likely draw them into more detective and investigatory tasks typically reserved for fully warranted officers.
Another factor weighing on the commissioner’s decision is the funding model for PCSOs in Wales. The Welsh Government offers targeted grants to support these roles. Llywelyn warned that retraining or upskilling PCSOs to constables could risk losing this vital funding stream, potentially weakening frontline neighbourhood policing rather than strengthening it.
Significantly, Mr Llywelyn also pointed to the UK Government’s pledge to recruit 13,000 additional neighbourhood police officers by 2029 across England and Wales. He highlighted recent communication from Dyfed-Powys Police’s leadership, which anticipates a “significant uplift” in the number of police constables joining neighbourhood policing teams over the coming months. This increase, he suggested, would address concerns about capacity and visible presence without altering the PCSO model.
Dyfed-Powys Police serves a broad and predominantly rural area, covering Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Powys. According to a recent budget report, the force employed 1,294 police officers, 146 PCSOs, and 746 other staff in 2024. The panel overseeing police governance includes councillors from the four counties, alongside two co-opted members, tasked with reviewing financial decisions and approving – or if necessary, vetoing – the police precept, which is paid through residents’ council tax.
Reflecting on the financial context, the police precept for Band D households in Dyfed-Powys rose by 8.6% from April, bringing the annual charge to £360.68 for 2025-26. This increase comes after a year in which just over 35,000 crimes were reported across the force’s jurisdiction, marking a reduction on previous years.
Addressing a specific query about parking enforcement – a perennial source of public grumbling – Llywelyn clarified that this responsibility lies with local councils, not police community support officers. PCSOs may only intervene if a parked vehicle causes an obstruction on the highway. “When asked directly, chief constables – and I’ve spoken to more than one – do not want to give PCSOs parking enforcement powers. They believe it would detract from the crucial crime prevention and engagement work that PCSOs are there to deliver,” he explained.
The stance reflects a cautious approach to reform, balancing budget pressures, governmental targets, and the desire for visible policing. While some members of the public and local representatives may be pressing for a review of PCSO capabilities, Mr Llywelyn’s comments make clear that, for now, maintaining the existing structure and enhancing police numbers remain the priority for neighbourhood safety across Dyfed-Powys.