Alun Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services.
The Policing Board for Wales provides a forum to discuss policing issues across the devolved and non-devolved aspects of the service and how it operates in Wales. The Board provides a valuable opportunity for all those with responsibility for policing to discuss and agree a coherent, consistent and understood approach to the distinct and common issues we manage in Wales.
I have met with the Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners of each of the four forces in Wales on a termly basis since I took up my post. However, the creation of the Policing Board for Wales provides an opportunity to agree a foundation upon which to focus our attention to the matters which are of the greatest priority in Wales and to broaden its membership. This Board will now provide a clear focus for developing policy and to understand how we can maximise the impact of our joint working in a Welsh context.
The membership of the Board comprises the Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners of each of the police forces in Wales, in addition to representation from Welsh Government Cabinet Members and officials. We are extending the invitation to the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, NHS Wales and the Welsh Local Government Association.
As chair of the Policing Board for Wales, I look forward to the opportunity to work across Government to ensure that we have a direct and significant impact on the ability to deliver policing services across Wales.
As Wales develops its’ own response to challenges faced across the UK, particularly concerning serious violence, organised crime and county lines, it is important to ensure that the appropriate mechanisms are identified to enable a supportive, co-ordinated approach to addressing these challenges with strong engagement and appropriate accountability.
The Board will meet on a quarterly basis and I look forward to working with all partners to assist in the achievement of a distinct and different approach to policing that is designed to support and protect the people of Wales.
I will keep Members informed of progress.