, Counsel General and
Minister for the Constitution: Pursuing the devolution
of justice and policing is a commitment in the Welsh
Government’s Programme for Government
2021-26. As Members are aware, this reflects a recommendation
in the 2019 Commission on Justice in Wales (the Thomas Commission), which
was the largest ever examination of the operation of the justice
system in Wales.
The Commission on Devolution in Wales (the Silk Commission), which was
set up by the UK Government, which reported in 2014 and, more
recently the Independent Commission on the
Constitutional Future of Wales, both supported the devolution
of policing.
In pursuing the case for the devolution of policing, it is
important we understand the challenges involved and how these
could be addressed. In November last year, we commissioned an
independent team to work with key stakeholders to understand the
benefits, opportunities, challenges and risks.
The team, led by former Chief Constable of North Wales Police
Carl Foulkes QPM, has gathered insight from those with expertise
of policing in Wales; with the four elected police and crime
commissioners in Wales and with Dame KC in her capacity as
independent expert adviser to the Welsh Government on justice
devolution.
We are today publishing the report, which explores
potential options for a devolved policing service in Wales,
taking into account the practical considerations associated with
implementing devolution.
The review does not express views about the merits of devolving
policing, but it clarifies – at a level of detail not
previously produced – the issues which would need to be
considered in doing so. It is a hugely valuable contribution to
our understanding, and we are grateful to Carl Foulkes and all
those who worked to support him in the production of this
report.
We are also grateful to all those who gave of their time to
contribute to this report. In particular, we are grateful to
chief constables of Wales’ police forces, for supporting the
review team in identifying the issues that would need to be
addressed.
The report contains specific next steps for the Welsh Government
to consider. This will form the basis for our future
consideration and we will continue to work closely with police
partners.
We will also continue to take forward work in the other areas we
have identified as suitable for devolution – youth justice and
probation. The Delivering Justice for Wales
progress report, published last month, provides an update
about progress in these areas.