THE Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed Powys says he is committed to reducing youth offending and has invested more funding to tackle the issue.

Dafydd Llywelyn spoke at a recent meeting of the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel to quash concerns that alcohol fuelled crime is more prevalent in Ceredigion than in other areas across the force.

A question was put to him by Cllr Keith Evans, who was seeking reassurance following an incident involving underage drinking in his area over the New Year.

Mr Llywelyn said the issue was not confined to specific areas, but was a national issue which he is keen to address.

“Alcohol is a significant contributory factor to crime across the whole of the Dyfed Powys area,” he said.

“We are educating our young people through our schools liaison programme, and highlighting to them that alcohol can lead to more risky behaviour.

“I have increased funding to youth offending in each local authority area, and there’s also a pilot in Carmarthenshire and Fishguard where detached officers are working with our youth clubs.

“We are looking forward to seeing how that develops to see if we roll it out to other areas.”

The Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel is made of up of members nominated by the four councils in the force area: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys; and at least two independent members. Carmarthenshire County Council is the lead authority for the panel.

The meetings are open to the press and public, and with the prior permission of the chair, people can ask questions or make a statement in relation to a matter being considered by the panel, with the exception of personnel matters.

Questions can also be submitted to the panel either in writing or via the website contact form.

Information about the panel, agendas, meeting dates, membership and news is available online at http://www.dppoliceandcrimepanel.org.uk/