ARMED police were deployed more times in Dyfed-Powys last year than at any other time in the last decade.

An “explosion in violent crime” combined with the threat of terrorism has left officers routinely “fearing the worst”, according to the Police Federation of England and Wales.

This has led to them routinely calling for armed assistance when faced with the violent incidents.

The latest Home Office figures show that Dyfed-Powys Police conducted 160 armed police operations in the 12 months to March 2018.

This was an increase from the previous year, when armed officers attended 114 operations, and an increase of 74 per cent from a decade ago when current records began.

The number of armed police officers has also increased, rising from 62 in 2017 to 68 as of the end of March this year.

According to the National Police Chiefs Council, recruitment drives for armed counter-terrorism officers have been ongoing in the areas of England and Wales most at risk from terrorism. However, many forces have struggled to recruit the numbers they need.

Across England and Wales, the number of armed police operations in the year to March reached 18,746 - the highest number since 2010-11.

Chief Superintendent Vicki Evans said: “Dyfed-Powys remains one of the safest force areas in the country. We have worked hard with our partner forces of South Wales and Gwent to ensure our Joint Firearms Unit has the right number of resources to keep our local communities safe and support the national policing picture."

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now