New cars charged with fighting crime

By Richard Youle, Local Democracy Reporter

The thin blue line will become the quiet blue line in some local towns when eight new electric cars are deployed by police.

They will be used from next summer onwards by Dyfed-Powys neighbourhood policing teams, including in Newtown, following a successful trial with a Renault during the summer in Tenby (pictured).

They will also be seen in Brecon, Llandrindod Wells, Burry Port, Llanelli, Carmarthen, Aberystwyth, Lampeter, Cardigan, Milford Haven and Tenby.

The cars’ make and model is not yet known as the contract, which is to be funded from the office of Dyfed-Powys police and crime commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn, is out to tender.

The electric cars won’t be used for live pursuits and Mr Llywelyn said he was committed to a more sustainable future.

“I was keen to provide funding for the electric car over the summer in Tenby in order to be able to see and experience the potential benefits for the force and our communities in terms of minimising fuel consumption and renewable technology,” said the Plaid Cymru commissioner.

“I have now committed to buy eight electric cars that will be used throughout the force area by neighbourhood policing teams.”

A report before the Dyfed Powys police and crime panel last week said the new cars would cost £153,600, plus a further £20,000 for training and new maintenance equipment.

PICTURE: The Dyfed-Powys Police electric car which was trialled in Tenby over the summer.