News •
August 30, 2026 at 8:22 am
The Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales has said any transfer of policing powers from Westminster to Cardiff must not leave the north short of money or a say in how its force is run.
Andy Dunbobbin made the comments in response to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who said this week that he was open to discussing the devolution of policing and criminal justice to the Welsh Government.
Speaking during a visit to Port Talbot, Mr Burnham said that whilst he could make no promises, the wider reform of policing across the UK made it a reasonable time to look at the question.
Mr Dunbobbin said he supported the principle, provided it produced better outcomes for communities.
“My priority and guiding aim is that North Wales is not disadvantaged. I am, in principle, supportive of the devolution of policing and criminal justice to Wales,” said Mr Dunbobbin.
“Joining up policing with devolved health, social care and local government services makes sense when it comes to early intervention and crime prevention.”
Money and where decisions get taken are the two conditions he attached.
Mr Dunbobbin said: “Devolving powers from London cannot result in resources and decision-making being drawn disproportionately towards South Wales.”
“North Wales must receive its fair share of funding to support our frontline neighbourhood policing teams.”
He also said any new structure would have to protect the working relationships North Wales Police holds with forces on the other side of the border.
Mr Dunbobbin said: “North Wales Police works closely with neighbouring Forces in Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Lancashire, and these operational partnerships are essential in tackling the vast majority of serious and organised crime groups.”
“Criminality follows the economy. It moves east to west and west to east, and our ability to work seamlessly with police forces across the border is vital to keeping our communities safe.”
The argument over who holds policing powers is running alongside a separate change that would remove Mr Dunbobbin’s own job.
Under the UK Government’s Police Reform Bill, police and crime commissioners are due to be abolished in May 2028 at the end of their current terms.
In England their responsibilities would pass to elected regional mayors or council leaders. However, no equivalent arrangement has been set out for Wales.
Mr Dunbobbin was re-elected in May 2024 and his term runs to May 2028, the same point at which the role is scheduled to end.
He gave evidence on the reforms to the Welsh Affairs Committee at Westminster on 8 July, alongside the police and crime commissioners for Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and South Wales.
At that hearing he said: “The devil is always in the details.”
“The main objective is understanding how any changes would affect us in Wales, particularly around governance arrangements and local accountability.”
Our sister site Deeside.com reported in June that MPs would question all four Welsh commissioners on what would replace them.
Mr Dunbobbin said: “My focus is making sure communities across North Wales continue to benefit from an efficient and effective police service.”
“I will support any model that delivers that outcome, protects local accountability and ensures North Wales gets the resources and representation it deserves.”
Mr Burnham is due to meet the first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in October, where devolution is expected to be discussed.
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