Dyfed-Powys Police has paid out significant compensation as claims surge, raising concerns about accountability and police conduct in Wales
Carmarthen: So, it turns out Dyfed-Powys Police has been shelling out a lot of cash lately. Over the last five years, they’ve paid out around £324,000 in damages after nearly 200 claims from the public. That’s quite a bit of money!
The stats came from a Freedom of Information request, and they show that between 2019 and 2024, there were 186 claims against the police. In the first year, 36 claims were made, and they settled nine of those. The next year, things slowed down a bit with only 22 claims, but they still settled nine.
Then in 2021/2022, claims jumped back up to 38, with 11 settled. Last year, they had 36 claims and settled eight. But this year, wow, they’ve seen a big spike with 54 claims already, settling seven so far.
The biggest payout happened in 2021/2022, where they forked out over £138,000. The reasons for these claims vary, but a lot of them are about unlawful arrests, personal injuries, and failing to take care of people properly.
Lucy Parker, a solicitor from Public Interest Lawyers, mentioned that these claims highlight a serious issue about holding police accountable. She pointed out that wrongful arrests and property damage are serious matters that can really breach someone’s rights. If you feel wronged by the police, it’s a good idea to get legal advice quickly.
Interestingly, across the UK, police forces have paid out over £300,000 in compensation for incidents where they mistakenly raided the wrong homes. It seems like property damage is a common reason for claims, along with vehicle damage from accidents.
Dyfed-Powys Police has been asked to comment on these figures, but it’s clear that the rising claims are raising eyebrows and sparking conversations about police conduct in Wales.
