Police and Crime Commissioner Announces Policing Precept Level for 2026-27
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has today (23 January 2026) confirmed the police precept for 2026/27 following a meeting of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel. As part of his role the Commissioner sets the police budget, including the police precept, the element of council tax that helps fund local policing.
After a process of extensive scrutiny over several months, Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel unanimously supported the Commissioner’s precept proposal for 2026/27, which will increase the average band D property by 7.47% or £26.95 per annum which is approximately £2.25 per month.
This increase will raise a total precept of £93.033m to support a budget requirement of £161.905m. Multiple members of the panel commented on the open and transparent nature of the precept process and praised how the Commissioner came to make his final decision.
In setting the precept, Commissioner Llywelyn considered a range of factors including inflation and cost pressures, service demand, levels of reserves, future investment requirements, efficiency and positivity plans as well as feedback from residents across the Dyfed-Powys area.
The agreed precept will support targeted investment in policing services, with a focus on strengthening Local Policing Teams and supporting prevention activity.
Funding will support:
- Additional neighbourhood policing officers, increasing visible patrols and strengthening local knowledge and community relationships.
- Additional response officers, helping to improve response times and ensure incidents are dealt with swiftly and effectively.
- Enhanced intervention, prevention and engagement activity for young people focused on early support, diversion from crime and anti-social behaviour and positive opportunities through partnership working with schools, families and youth services.
- Investment in innovation to improve services to victims and streamline processes to enable officers to dedicate more time to front line duties
What this means for communities across the Dyfed-Powys area
For communities across the Dyfed-Powys area, this investment will mean more visible neighbourhood policing, improved response to incidents and a stronger focus on prevention. It will also support early intervention work with young people helping to prevent harm and address issues before they escalate.
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said:
“I recognise the pressure that any increase in the police precept places on households. However, this decision is about protecting frontline policing and investing in the services that matter most to our communities.
“Residents have been clear that they want to see more officers locally, faster response times and a greater focus on prevention. This investment delivers exactly that, with additional neighbourhood and response officers, improved ways for communities to stay connected with their local teams and early intervention programmes that support young people and help prevent crime before it starts.
“Together, these measures reflect my commitment to protecting communities and delivering a modern accessible policing service that puts prevention and neighbourhood safety at its heart. “
Mr Llywelyn added; “While the financial and operational environment remains challenging, this level of funding provides the stability needed to focus on delivery and on the priorities set out in my Police and Crime Plan.
“I would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views through the consultation, as well as members of the Police and Crime Panel for their continued scrutiny and support.”
Councillor Keith Evans, Vice Chair of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel, who chaired today’s meeting said:
“I am very pleased with the outcome of the precept meeting and want to take the time to thank Panel Members and the Finance- subgroup for their diligence in reaching their decision which has come after many meetings of scrutiny.
“I wish to note the open and transparent manner the Commissioner and his office responded to the sub- group’s request for information. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Panels Secretariat team for their usual cooperation and support”.
ENDS
Further information:
Article Date: 23/01/2026