Madam,

Not satisfied with just being responsible for policing, the Conservative police commissioner for Dyfed-Powys wants to grab power over youth justice, probation, the court service and the fire service.

In Dyfed-Powys crime is increasing faster than any other force in Wales and the Police Service has been widely criticised as ‘in need of im-provement’ on a range of subjects by the police inspectorate. Christopher Salmon’s response is either to deny anything is wrong or blame the chief constable.

On the few occasions things are right, he is more than happy to take the credit.

His main interest seems to be expanding his empire. His office is already one of the top six most costly per head of population in England and Wales, his staffing costs have grown massively since he came into post and he seems to have no problem with spending hundreds of thousands of pounds of our money on consultants.

It’s time police commissioners were scrapped, not given more powers.

Until they are we need a police commissioner who will take responsibility for improving policing and driving down the costs of their personal office. A strong, well-run police service is more important than police commissioners grabbing more power.

Yours etc

Richard Church

Liberal Democrat candidate for Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner.