New police chief's rehab concern

Ian Arundale has started work as the new Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys

The new chief constable of Dyfed-Powys Police said he wants to see improved rehabilitation services available for drug addicts in the force area.

Ian Arundale said 60% of people taken into custody had drug problems or had taken illegal substances.

He also said he would make greater use of technology to police the largest force in geographical terms in England and Wales.

He pledged police would concentrate on low-level crimes of public concern.

Mr Arundale has arrived from West Mercia Police where he was deputy chief constable.

He succeeds Terry Grange who retired from the force following allegations of computer misuse and financial irregularities last year.

Mr Arundale said: "Dyfed-Powys is a very high performing force and what I'm keen to do is build upon the solid foundations that already exist here.

One of the core issues for us at the moment is 60% of the people passing through our custody suites have a form of drug problem or certainly have drugs in their system at the time of arrest Ian Arundale

"Clearly I've got some areas I want to concentrate on - one in particular is to make sure that we concentrate on the minor crimes as well as the more serious crimes."

He said another area was improving the quality of service the force delivered.

"I'm sending some very very clear messages to our staff about the levels of service, dress and presentation that I expect from them at all times," he added.

"Another main area is the increased use of technology.

"I'm particularly keen to use technology to minimise some of the problems of geography - that is a major issue for us, such a large area, limited resources, managing that to public expectations is a constant challenge."

He said this included increased use of finger print technology.

"Also through proper communications we can make sure we can send cars to where they are required," he said.

"We want to increase the visibility of our staff and perhaps the main thing we can do in that area is make sure they are sent to the right incidents.

"Our police community support officers (PCSOs) are vital to improving visibility across the force area and we want to make sure they are out nearly all of their time.

"If at all possible we will seek to increase their numbers in forthcoming years."

'Serious offences'

Mr Arundale said despite its mainly rural character Dyfed-Powys faced many of the same challenges as its counterparts.

"In my first three months here there have been three murders and some very very serious offences and I've been very pleased to see we have the staff with the skills and the expertise to deal with those issues," he said.

And like other forces in the UK he said drugs were a major issue the region faced.

"One of the core issues for us at the moment is 60% of the people passing through our custody suites have a form of drug problem or certainly have drugs in their system at the time of arrest.

"At the moment we have not got access to treatment or support services for those individuals.

"I think what needs to happen is politicians and the government need to rise above party politics so people can be supported and helped.

"Otherwise we will just be arresting people, releasing them and seeing the same people come through custody time and time again.

"We arrest the people, we seize the drugs - we are not the agency with the resources to deal with the addiction issues."