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Police school visits continue after funding axed

Getty Images Female police officer in uniform knelt down speaking to a young girl who has her back to the cameraGetty Images
Some areas of Wales have chosen to keep the police schools programme running despite funding cuts

Police officers will continue to visit schools to speak with pupils, despite funding for the programme being axed.

Earlier this year, the Welsh government announced its funding for the School Beat Cymru programme would stop, in order to save £2m a year.

Dyfed-Powys Police’s commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said this move caused "significant concern", and confirmed the programme would continue. North Wales Police also said it would continue and Gwent Police said it would build its own connections with schools.

The Welsh government said it had to make difficult decisions to protect front line services.

School Beat Cymru - a joint programme between Wales’ four police forces - saw 68 officers employed to go in to schools and speak with pupils aged five-16 about safety and welfare topics.

Mr Llywelyn said the decision to withdraw funding for the programme was taken without a formal consultation with police forces.

"Any cut to the funding for this programme threatens the development and safety of our young people," he said.

"That is why I made it a priority to ensure that the schools service continues in this area."

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn wearing a grey suit and stood in front of tiered seating
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn says the schools programme is "essential"

Meanwhile, Gwent Police’s police and crime commissioner, Jane Mudd, said the decision to end the programme was made before her election.

The force has now moved to a model of "building closer connections between schools and their local policing teams".

South Wales Police has been asked about its plans.

The Welsh government said its decision to end the funding was due to “increasing financial pressure".

It added: "We continue to fund preventive work with children at risk of crime through the children and communities grant."