Video calls help police keep in touch with communities

Neighbourhood policing teams are using technology to keep in touch with people across Dyfed-Powys.

Officers are making sure COVID-19 is not a barrier to engaging with the community, and are adapting practices to keep in touch.

In Llanelli rural wards and Pembrokeshire, video calls are being held for people to stay in contact with police and to raise any concerns.

Inspector Katie Davies will hold the next Skype call for people living in rural Llanelli wards – including Kidwelly, Burry Port and Llwynhendy – at 2pm on Thursday, April 30. Please email Llanelliruralnpt@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk for details on how to join.

Inspector Davies said: “The first Skype meeting we held was very positive. Councillor and members of the public joined us, and it was a chance to inform people what measures we have in place while we deal with coronavirus, and for them to ask questions.

“We are looking forward to the next call later this week.”

In Pembrokeshire, weekly Zoom sessions are taking place with vulnerable people, who can call in and chat about any issues they have.

Sergeant Terri Harrison said: “They were particularly concerned at first about the possibility of being stopped by police and how due to their anxiety they would not be able to explain why they were out.

“The majority either had an ASD lanyard or card, or a sunflower lanyard. I suggested that they take these out with them, as well as a phone number of someone who could speak on their behalf if they weren’t able to.

“An email was then sent to all officers in Pembrokeshire with links to the above schemes so they would recognise the card or lanyard and be in a more knowledgeable position to deal with these vulnerable groups.”

The calls are taking place at 3pm on Fridays, in partnership with Pembrokeshire People First.