Rural Connect: how the police can connect with people living in rural communities

The Universities' Police Science Institute led a programme of high-level research for the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner which revealed that communities want stronger neighbourhood bonds with the police.

Research included detailed discussions with members of the public, police officers and police staff.

The Universities’ Police Science Institute, the Commissioner’s Office and Dyfed-Powys Police ran the sessions where the key question was: “How can the police best connect with people living in rural communities?”

The Rural Connect report concluded that although police communities are doing excellent work across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys, much still needs to be done. It recommended that neighbourhood police officers and volunteers should be fully valued, that local knowledge should be developed and retained, that local decision-making should be encouraged and that the police should connect more with local people.