Dyfed-Powys Police is celebrating a landmark anniversairy this week.

On April 1,1968 Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire Constabulary, the Mid Wales Constabulary and the Pembrokeshire Police came together to form Dyfed-Powys Constabulary, making it the largest police force geographically in England and Wales.

The name changed to Dyfed-Powys Police in 1974.

Over the next year a number of events are planned to mark the special anniversary and officers and staff, serving and retired, will have the opportunity to came together to share their memories and experiences about life in the force over the decades.

In 1968, the force saw the official opening of the first phase of the Royal Mint’s move from London to the new plant in Llantrisant, Trawsfynydd nuclear power station, the only nuclear power station to be located in a national park, is opened and Welsh actor Rhys Ifans is born.

Over the last 50 years the force has seen a lot of changes including the uniform worn, the locations of police stations, the improvements in technology and the make-up of the police family.

Chief Constable Mark Collins said: “Over the past 50 years, we have seen the landscape of policing change in order to improve the service we provide to our diverse communities.

"However, while much has changed, the determination and commitment of officers and staff to keeping our communities safe has always remained the same.

I would like to thank all the officers and staff who have worked diligently over the years to ensure that the Dyfed-Powys area is a safe place to work and live. I would also like to thank the communities we serve for their support and willingness to work with the force to ensure the service we provide remains at a high level.

We are very fortunate that the famous welsh poet Eurig Salisbury has agreed to become the force poet to help us celebrate the work of Dyfed-Powys Police over the next year.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn added: “It’s a great privilege to be the elected Police and Crime Commissioner(PCC) for Dyfed-Powys Police especially in this celebratory 50th year.

"The way in which the police force is governed and its’ work scrutinised has changed over the years. The involvement of a directly elected local PCC is very different to the structures of 1968.

"I hope the public feel that I am representing their views in seeking to deliver an open and public engaging police service across our communities and I look forward to taking part in the celebrations scheduled during the year ahead.”