North Wales police want to work closer with farmers at a local level

NFU Cymu welcomes news that North Wales Community Beat Managers (CBMs) and Community Support Officers (CSOs) are eager to build relationships with the local agriculture community in North Wales.

At a recent NFU Cymru Mid Gwynedd meeting members were pleased to learn that North Wales Police are keen to work closer with the local agriculture community, even though many farmers still remain bitterly disappointed about the loss of the post of Farm Community Liaison Officer held by, PC Dorian Roberts in June 2008.

Mr Dafydd Jones, Chairman of Mid Gwynedd NFU Cymru said, "We have made our views clear to North Wales Police about the crucial loss of PC Dorian Roberts to Rural Policing across North Wales. He had a significantly important role in crime prevention and education on farms across the North Wales Police area. We are optimistic that CBMs and CSOs carry out good work but at a local level. What we will now be sadly lacking is a contact that could look at the bigger picture and indeed be a guiding hand to the local CBMs and CSOs."

Mr Jones continued, "This is a step in the right direction and we feel reassured that CBMs and CSOs are enthusiastic to work with the agriculture community and rural areas, it is now vital for these officers to get out their and get to know their local farmers."

NFU Cymru are encouraging members to look out for their local CBMs and CSOs at livestock markets and raise any issues of concern face to face with them. Each has a mobile phone contact number which will be available at local NFU Cymru Offices, The North Wales Police Website and local livestock market notice boards.