Dyfed Powys Chief Constable calls for all-Wales police force

Wales' police forces should combine as one organisation according to the chief constable of Dyfed Powys.

Published Mar 30, 2022

Last updated Mar 30, 2022

RETRANSMITTED CORRECTING SPELLING OF CARMARTHENSHIRE..Welsh police pull over cars at a checkpoint during firebrake vehicle patrols close to the border between Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, Wales. First Minister Mark Drakeford will unveil new national coronavirus measures for Wales on Monday. PA Photo. Picture date: Monday November 2, 2020. The restrictions will come into force when Wales' 17-day firebreak lockdown expires on November 9, four days after England begins its own initial four-week lockdown. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Ben Birchall/PA Wire.

Dr Richard Lewis, who took on the role as the force's chief constable last year, has called for the creation of one, Wales-wide police force by 2030.

Currently Wales has four police forces – Dyfed Powys, North Wales, South Wales and Gwent.

Any move to combine the four would create a force with 7,400 officers – the third largest in England and Wales, after the Metropolitan Police and West Midlands Police.

Dr Lewis, who is originally from Carmarthenshire and was formerly the chief constable of Cleveland Police, said that a combined force would be more efficient.

Dyfed Powys Police chief constable, Dr Richard Lewis.