North Wales Police has welcomed a report on collaboration between forces.

Today sees the publication of ‘The Hard Yards’.

North Wales Police chief constable Carl Foulkes, chair of the Welsh Chief Officer’s Group, said: “I welcome today’s HMICFRS report on collaboration between police forces.

“Whilst it identifies several areas where the police can improve the effectiveness of the partnership concept, I am encouraged that the all-Wales group received particular praise for identifying a clear purpose for collaborations, our work towards reducing bureaucracy, and improving efficiency.”

He continued: “At the heart of all our collaborations is the desire to improve policing for the whole of Wales, and it was pleasing to see this recognised in the report.

“Through close working between senior officers and police and crime commissioners, we have been able to effect a positive change in three key areas: the streamlining of IT services, recruitment and HR, as well as a better alignment of cross-force policies and procedures.

“These improvements will allow us to deliver on our primary objective, which is to provide the best possible service to the people of Wales, and we will seek to implement the recommendations of this report to ensure our success in this regard.”

Dyfed-Powys Police has been at the heart of collaboration successes, and the desire to improve policing for the whole of Wales. Notable examples include the Joint Firearms Unit, and the award nominated All Wales Recruitment Process.

The Joint Firearms Unit was established in 2012 as a collaboration between the three Southern Wales police services – Dyfed-Powys Police, Gwent Police and South Wales Police.