Now is the time to devolve policing to Wales
Plaid Cymru Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts MP has said that the UK Government’s planned overhaul of policing - including proposals that could reduce the number of police forces in Wales - makes this a critical moment to devolve policing and justice powers in full to Wales.
Reports that the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is preparing to impose sweeping reforms across Wales and England, potentially merging forces into large regional “mega forces”, once again highlight how major decisions affecting Welsh communities are being taken without Welsh democratic consent.
There are currently four territorial police forces in Wales - South Wales Police, Gwent Police, Dyfed-Powys Police and North Wales Police. Under the UK Government’s proposals, these forces could be merged as part of a broader plan to reduce the total number of police forces across England and Wales from 43 to as few as 12.
Plaid Cymru has long argued that policing and justice should be devolved to Wales, in line with arrangements already in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The cross-party Silk Commission report in 2014 recommended the devolution of policing powers, as did as the Thomas Commission in 2019, and the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales in 2024. The UK Government has repeatedly rejected these calls.
Liz Saville Roberts MP said:
“The proposed reorganisation of policing in Wales is being driven from Westminster, with little regard for Wales’ geography, communities, language or social needs. Decisions that will fundamentally reshape public services in Wales are once again being taken without Wales having the power to decide for itself.
“If policing structures in Wales are to change, those decisions must be made in Wales, by institutions accountable to the people of Wales. A one-size-fits-all approach imposed from Westminster risks weakening local accountability and distancing policing from the communities it serves.
“Health, housing, local government, youth services and mental health support are already devolved. Keeping policing and justice outside Welsh control undermines joined-up policymaking and leaves Wales responsible for outcomes without the powers needed to deliver them.
“If Labour is serious about better outcomes for communities, it should finally listen to the evidence compiled by three independent commissions since 2011 and devolve policing and justice in full to Wales. That is the only way to ensure reforms deliver a better functioning justice system and strengthen democratic accountability.”
