Plaid Cymru will today unveil its manifesto for the Police and
Crime Commissioner election on May 6th with its Six
Pledges for Policing – commitments party Leader, says can create a
fairer, safer Wales.
The Plaid Cymru Leader also says that seeking control over
policing and justice would be a “top priority” for a Plaid Cymru
government, adding that Welsh Police Forces would benefit from an
additional £25million a year – the equivalent to 900 additional
police officers - were policing devolved to Wales.
Speaking ahead of the manifesto launch, Mr Price said that having
had two elected Police Commissioners over the past five years,
Plaid Cymru’s candidates were experienced, had a proud record of
achievement, and know what needs to be done to make our
communities safe.
The six key pledges include:
- A Fair Funding Formula for Policing in Wales until full
devolution
- Better integration and transparency between the police and
the community
- A plan to reduce crime and reoffending
- Enhancing Victim Support
- Tackling Hate Crime
- Creating Economic Crime Units
Setting out the six pledges, current Plaid Cymru Police and Crime
Commissioner said that
the party would “continue to take a preventative approach to
tackling crime” and wanted to “place the victim at the heart of
the justice system”.
Alongside contesting
the election in Dyfed Powys, Plaid Cymru’s Police and Crime
Commissioner candidates are Ann Griffith (North Wales), Nadine
Marshall (South Wales) and Donna Cushing (Gwent).
Plaid Cymru Leader, , said:
“Despite initially opposing the introduction of Police
Commissioners, when we saw the devastating impact of Tory cuts to
policing, we contested the 2016 elections which saw Plaid Cymru
and
elected to
serve North Wales and Dyfed Powys respectively.
“Our candidates are experienced, have a proud record of
achievement and know what needs to be done. They hold the respect
of the police front line and truly represent the communities they
serve.
“Those communities could be better served with the full
devolution of policing which would see Welsh police forces
receive an additional £25million a year - that’s the equivalent
of 900 extra police officers on the beat. The devolution of
policing is a top priority for a Plaid Cymru government.
“Our six pledges for policing and our vision for a fairer, safer
Wales builds on the work of our excellent current Commissioners
whose achievements in investing more in CCTV systems, committing
resources to tackling modern slavery and introducing pilots to
prevent rural crime show that Plaid is truly committed to
protecting our communities.”
Plaid Cymru’s current Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed
Powys who will be seeking re-election on May 6th,
added:
“Plaid Cymru continues to take a preventative approach to
tackling crime, collaborating across health, criminal justice and
education as the most effective way of tackling youth offending.
“Addressing the underlying causes of crime, such as protecting
children from abuse or neglect, and tackling child poverty is
proven to reduce criminal behaviour.
“We also want to put the victim at the heart of justice system.
Plaid Cymru pledges to implement the Victims Code of Practice,
including supporting greater victim confidence in giving
evidence, thereby increasing conviction rates.
“Finally, Plaid is committed to tackling a range of offences
which currently suffer from a lack of funding and focus such as
rural crime, cybercrime and hate crimes.”
Former Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner and Candidate for
North Wales, Ann Griffith said:
“Thanks to the Home Office funding formula, North Wales taxpayers
fund over 50 per cent of the police budget to make up for the
lack of support offered by Westminster, a hefty sum compared to
the 30 per cent contributed from local taxpayers in the West
Midlands and Northumbria.
“Despite budget cuts by Teresa May and , I worked with Plaid Cymru’s Police Commissioner in
North Wales to launch the ‘Checkpoint Cymru’ project and early
intervention fund to divert low level offenders away from the
criminal justice system and address adverse childhood experiences
as an underlying cause of crime; increased the police workforce
by nearly 7 per cent, and distributed the proceeds of crime back
to local causes.
“Plaid Cymru’s six pledges for policing are the route to
achieving a fairer, safer Wales.”
