Plaid Cymru’s Home Affairs Spokesperson, and North Wales
Police & Crime Commissioner, , have warned that the UK
Government’s position for negotiations with the EU could put a
strain on Welsh police forces.
The UK Government announced its negotiating position for the
upcoming discussions with the EU on Thursday (27 February),
stating that it is “not seeking to participate in the European
arrest warrant” nor is it seeking membership of Europol or
Eurojust.
From 2009/2010 to 2017/2018, the UK returned 9,853 EU nationals
to their home states to face justice and brought back 1,271 UK
citizens over the same period.
Welsh police forces currently make wide ranging use of a number
of Home Affairs and EU Justice measures to provide a dynamic,
quick and efficient response to crime and criminality that effect
people all over Wales.
said:
“The UK position is completely ignoring the reality of crime in
Europe and could lead to significant problems for Welsh police
forces.
“We have left the EU and we have to accept that full membership
of EU bodies is therefore difficult. However, leaving the EU does
not have to mean undermining the close security cooperation that
exists in Europe.
“The UK position refers to the relationship Europol has with the
United States, rather than countries who have a much closer
relationship, such as Iceland and Norway. This is a matter for
great concern when all these new relationships must be up and
running in just over ten months’ time.
“The Westminster Government is simply playing reckless games with
our safety by opposing every form of European cooperation in the
name of Brexit. I urge the Westminster Government to consult with
Welsh Police and Crime Commissioners to ensure we get the best
possible deal for police forces and citizens.”
, North Wales Police and Crime
Commissioner, said:
"I have long warned that the approach of this Westminster
Government to our relationship with our closest allies in terms
of policing will have a detrimental impact on our security.
“The European Arrest Warrant is an essential tool in ensuring
that dangerous criminals are taken off the streets speedily and
that we are not reliant on clunky, lengthy and more expensive
treaties of old.
“The first duty of government is to protect its citizenry, and it
looks as if Johnson and Patel have failed at the first hurdle."
