Surgeries scheme to take police closer to the people

A SCHEME to bring policing closer to the people of North Wales is being launched in Gwynedd.

The North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin is starting new monthly advice surgeries.

It’s a chance for people in the area to air concerns or comments with the police chief over community policing. The first surgery is in Bala on February 23, then Ruthin on March 23 , Pwllheli on April 19, Bangor on May 25 and Barmouth on June 21.

Further locations for the surgeries, being held in rural and urban, towns and village locations, across North Wales will be announced later. Attendees will have 15 minutes to speak confidentially with the Commissioner.

But attendees cannot discuss complaints about police officers, member of police staff, police community support officers or special constables, these matters go through existing and established channels.

The PCC will be accompanied by staff from his team and North Wales Police who will help with the meetings and take notes if needed. One of the PCC’s roles is to listen and respond to the public views on policing. He also set priorities for policing, decides the North Wales Police budget and holds the Chief Constable to account.

Mr Dunbobbin last week announced he will be asking the Police and Crime Panel to approve the policing precept - the amount that residents pay towards the cost of policing through council tax. The figure equates a 5.14% council tax increase for a band D property.

The surgery slots are by appointment only and attendees are urged to book, by contacting the PCC’s office with their name, contact information and discuss topic. Email: opcc@ northwales.police.uk Phone to: 01492 805486 or post to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner North Wales, Police Headquarters. Glan y Don, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8AW