Powys' Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has called for residents to help scrutinise police services as part of a national volunteer drive.

The commissioner is also set to meet with existing volunteers to thank them for their work as part of his activities for 'Volunteers week', a national scheme to promote and show appreciation for volunteering.

According to the commissioner's office, volunteer groups will work on a number of schemes to help support vulnerable people, ensure professionalism within Police forces, give confidence that high standards are upheld, protect people’s rights and enable challenge if things are not as what is expected.

"My volunteers play an important part in helping me deliver my vision set out in the Police and Crime plan and I am very grateful to every single person who volunteers with me to deliver these vital schemes," said Mr Llywelyn.

"This week marks international volunteers’ week. Over the last year, a number of my schemes may have been unable to carry out their usual duties. However, I am grateful to each individual for their continued engagement with the Office and their commitment over the past year in ensuring that the public remain both safe and confident, and I look forward to meet up with them during the week."

"As part of this year’s Volunteer’s week, I would in particular like to encourage individuals from ethnic minority groups to become a volunteer who would be able to provide diverse views and perspectives in our scrutiny of police services here in Dyfed Powys. I want to ensure that my volunteer schemes are representative of our local communities."

The Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office currently hosts four volunteer schemes, which include the Independent Custody Visiting scheme, the Animal Welfare visitors, a Quality Assurance Panel, and the Youth Forum with Youth Ambassadors.

Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are volunteers from the local community who visit police custody suites in pairs, unannounced, to check on the welfare of detainees and to ensure that their rights are upheld.

With the Animal Welfare Scheme, volunteers are members of the local community with experience of working dogs and professionals from animal welfare organisations. Volunteers in the Animal Welfare Scheme observe, comment and report upon the welfare and condition under which police dogs are housed, trained, transported and deployed.

The Quality Assurance Panel was established in December 2016 to review the quality of police contact with the public, in a transparent and independent manner, on behalf of local communities.

Anyone who is interested in any of the PCC’s volunteer schemes are asked to contact the office for further information on 01267 226440 or by email: opcc@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk.