FOI 611/25

REQUEST

Question 1: Please provide details on the number of times South Wales Police has exercised its powers under Section 60C of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (introduced by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 Sections 83 to 85) between 2022 and 2024.

Question 2: Please provide details on number of times South Wales Police has exercised its powers under Section 60D of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (introduced by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 Sections 83 to 85) between 2022 and 2024.

Question 3: Does the Constabulary have a Gypsy Traveller Liaison Officer (GTLO) and/or a special point of contact (SPOC) for engaging Romani (Gypsy) and Irish Traveller community ?

Question 4: Can you provide a role description of this officer if there is one?

RESPONSE

Questions 1 & 2

We have consulted with our Performance Analysts, Operational Support Services and our Basic Command Units (BCUs) who have provided the below response.

There were no crimes recorded during the period which were classified as an offence under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 60C. We’re therefore unable to identify any times where the powers have been used under Section 60C or Section 60D (which relates to the offences under Section 60C).

Please be advised, offences under these Acts are non-notifiable and therefore, a report of such an offence may not result in the crime being recorded or the offence may be one of a number of offences (notifiable or non-notifiable) and the crime may be classified as an alternative offence.

Question 3

We have consulted with our Human Resources Department and Gypsy, Roma, Traveller (GRT) Force Lead who have provided the below response.

Each Basic Command Unit (BCU) has a dedicated GRT Liaison Officer who is “on the ground” as well as a BCU lead.

South Wales Police also has a GRT lead for the overall force.

Question 4

South Wales Police does not hold a specific role profile.

The roles are ancillary. The officers who are liaison officers are typically within Neighbourhood or Community Safety Teams.

They are not the only officers who deal with members of the GRT community. Wherever a community is located, there will be local neighbourhood team who will have routine interactions. The GRT Liaison Officer would have responsibility for longer term work, including multi-agency interaction and supporting community events.