NORTH Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, has pledged to increase the number of officers and staff during his three-year term of office.

He also promises to improve the technology at their disposal so officers could spend more time out and about, rather than having to return to police stations to complete forms or search for information.

He announced his intentions in his first Police and Crime Plan which sets out the overall strategy for policing North Wales that Chief Constable Carl Foulkes will have to implement.

The plan will be presented to a meeting of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel next Monday (20 September).

In drawing up the plan, the commissioner says he has consulted widely and listened to what the public want.

“The number one priority for communities is to improve visible policing - providing reassurance, gathering intelligence and disrupting criminal activity,” he said.

“Local Neighbourhood Policing Teams provide the visibility and reassurance but are also widely regarded as being an invaluable source of intelligence to tackle the most serious and organised criminality.

“The work of our Regional Organised Crime Unit and the Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit relies heavily on the local intelligence NPTs provide. Neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of this Plan.

“In addition to increasing the number of officers in our communities, I am also committed to working with the Chief Constable improving the digital support available to our officers and staff thereby increasing the amount of time they spend in the community.”

Improving road safety is another key area for Mr Dunbobbin, as well as tackling and preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Mr Dunbobbin also wants to develop a new female offender strategy.

Coming from a technology background, the commissioner is acutely aware that scams and online attacks now account for almost half of all offences.

He said: “It is vital that the police services’ approach to cybercrime is well co-ordinated and effective in providing a quality service for the people of North Wales.

“Cybercrime offences are still hugely under-reported nationally and we will work to build the confidence of people and businesses within North Wales to report these crimes.”