Officers will be using electric cars to carry out community policing in the Welshpool area, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn, has confirmed.
Eleven electric cars have been purchased for Dyfed-Powys Police’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams to cut carbon emissions.
Mr Llywelyn (pictured) said: “I’m glad to finally be able to unveil the new electric cars for our Neighbourhood Police Teams across the force area – it is a very exciting development as we look towards taking an environmentally friendly approach to policing for the future.”
Mr Llywelyn added that the size of the force area was one of the reasons he was so keen to invest in more eco-friendly means of travelling.
“Dyfed-Powys is geographically the largest force area in England and Wales, with large percentages of the area being rural and of country terrain,” he said.
“It makes sense for us, therefore, to look at ways of not only minimising fuel consumption, but also to experience the benefits of renewable energy, and reduce our carbon footprint.
“I look forward to seeing the cars out and about in our communities.”
The new additions to the fleet come following an investment in specialised 4x4 vehicles for the force’s four rural crime teams in 2019, helping to ensure policing teams have access to the most appropriate equipment to carry out their role.
Inspector Justin Evans, of the Crime and Harm Reduction Unit, said: “Policing is much more than responding to 999 calls. Our dedicated Problem Solving Teams will use these vehicles to target their activity and support the most vulnerable in the community.
“These vehicles will be solely used by our Neighbourhood Policing Teams and are a great way of eliminating emissions and reducing our carbon footprint while they go about their day-to-day duties.”