As the police force that takes charge of the 10% of Wale’s geography and 42% of United Kingdom’s entire population, South Wales Police, also known as Heddlu De Cymry in Welsh, has a handful of huge responsibility to protect the rights of the people by balancing the peace and order in their assigned area.
Covering a diverse force area that is historical in a sense yet modern and contemporary in terms of infrastructure and culture, South Wales has become a hub for tourists each year as well as international trade relations. This upsurge has brought quite a challenge for the law enforcers of the South Wales Police. It’s in charge of the 2,074 square kilometres that comprises Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and Vale of Glamorgan. Along with these counties, the South Wales Police is also on a continuous lookout for the area’s vast coastal regions, major tourists spots, crowded travel links, business districts and world renowned sporting venues such as the Welsh Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.
History of the South Wales Police
By the amalgamation of the former Glamorgan Constabulary, Cardiff City Police, Swansea Borough Police and Merthyr Tydfil Borough Police, the Force was originally named as South Wales Constabulary in the 1st of June 1969. After several years, it was in 1974 when the reorganisation of the local government occurred that has brought the force’s area expansion. By then, Mid Glamorgan, South Glamorgan and West Glamorgan were included. And in 1996, yet another local government reorganisation brought change into the Police Force and transferred Rhymney Valley to Gwent Police. As of today, Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan – most of the ancient county of Glamorgan are the counties that make up the South Wales Police.
South Wales Police of Today
At present, the Force’s Chief Constable is Peter Vaughan. Being responsible of a population that exceeds a million, the South Wales Police has 3,302 officers and police staff in 232 police neighbourhoods that are divided into four divisions namely:
• Northern Division (Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taff)
• Eastern Division (Cardiff)
• Western Division (Neath Port Talbot and Swansea)
• Central Division (Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend)
The welfare of the people and the country is the South Wales Police’s main reason in pursuing their mission which is to prevent crime from harming the lives of the citizens. Because of this, the Force together with the government, local organisations and concerned citizens are helping hand in hand in order to build a safe and just society. With the facilities, skills and trainings that the officers have and undergo, the South Wales Police has several crime prevention programs that aims to protect the people, locals and tourists alike, in every way. The South Wales Police are doing their best in using their authority in keeping South Wales safe.
