Approach to Tackling Illegal Drugs April 2019

Tell us about your office’s latest scrutiny activity

I am pleased to be able to present the second deep dive review undertaken by my office, looking at the approach taken by Dyfed-Powys Police in addressing the issue of illegal drugs in our communities. I would like to thank the members of the public and those who engage with substance misuse services for their input into surveys conducted by my office.  I have been pleased with the Force’s response to this piece of work and I am grateful for all of those individuals who contributed to the review. 

What did you find?

I am encouraged by the way in which Dyfed-Powys Police tackle illegal drug trafficking and the pro-active response that police officers have taken to address this. This demonstrates a clear link between the priorities in my Police and Crime Plan and the way in which policing is delivered across Dyfed-Powys.  

What’s not going so well?

Support services and diversionary activities play a vital role in assisting those affected by substance misuse, and I personally fund a number of these services within Dyfed-Powys. These are currently underutilised, resulting in missed opportunities to support some of the most vulnerable individuals in our communities. 

What do you feel needs to be done?

The issues highlighted in my report cannot be solved by Policing alone. This requires a multi-agency approach. There is a need for partner agencies to review the impact that drug consumption facilities might have on the communities of Dyfed-Powys, and the benefits these may have on the reduction of drug related harm. 

What will you personally be doing to address the issues you’ve raised?

In light of this review, I have made a series of recommendations to the Chief Constable, which I am confident he and his team will progress. I will be reviewing this progress over the coming months and will endeavour to keep you updated through my public meetings and website.

What’s next for your office?

I am committed to continuing to scrutinise the areas that you feel most passionate about and will be looking for your support in informing my staff what these are. I urge you to participate in my future engagements and consultations, details of which can be found on my website, or by contacting my office. Thank you.