Would a single police force in Wales be detrimental to towns like Newtown?

Proposals being discussed in Westminster to merge Wales’ four police forces into a single national force have prompted concern about the future of local policing in towns such as Newtown and Welshpool.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have warned that any move towards a single Welsh police force could risk making policing more distant from communities, particularly in rural and semi-rural areas already facing longer response times and limited police visibility.

They point to the experience of police centralisation in Scotland, where the creation of a single national force was followed by fewer officers on the streets, more staff working in centralised roles, and a widespread perception that policing became less responsive to local needs.

For communities in Newtown and the wider Montgomeryshire area, policing is currently delivered by Dyfed-Powys Police, which covers a large and predominantly rural area stretching from Powys to Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. Critics of centralisation argue that such geography makes local knowledge, neighbourhood teams and visible policing particularly important.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats say that merging forces could further reduce the focus on issues that have a direct impact on daily life, such as rural crime, anti-social behaviour and low-level offences, which they argue can be deprioritised in large, centralised systems. Instead, they are calling for renewed investment in neighbourhood policing, the return of accessible police front desks, and decision-making that remains close to local communities.

However, Dyfed-Powys Police has sought to reassure residents that, for now, policing on the ground remains unchanged.

In a statement issued as the Home Secretary set out plans for wider police reform, Chief Constable Ifan Charles said the priority for policing would continue to be victims of crime and the communities officers serve.

He said that while policing needs to evolve to respond to changing crime and technology, good quality neighbourhood policing remains central to the force’s work. He also stressed his commitment to ensuring that any future changes are right for the people of Dyfed and Powys.

The Chief Constable added that police leaders across Wales are united in seeking reforms that strengthen policing rather than weaken local connections, and that work is ongoing to ensure Welsh communities continue to receive the best possible service.

While no final decisions have been announced, the debate has highlighted growing concern about how national reforms could affect local policing. For Newtown residents, the focus remains on maintaining visible, responsive policing that understands the needs of the town and surrounding rural communities.