Police and Crime Commissioner election Q&A: Ann Griffith Plaid Cymru candidate

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area

Wrexham.com has invited the four candidates vying for the role of North Wales’ Police and Crime Commissioner to take part in a written Question and Answer session.

On May 2 voters will head to the polls to elect a commissioner whose responsibilities include deciding the budget for North Wales Police and holding the force’s chief constable to account.

In North Wales four candidates have put themselves forward to become the region’s next PCC. These are (you can click to view their Q&A):

We contacted the four candidates with 10 questions about their plans if elected and what they feel are the biggest crime related issues facing North Wales.

You can read Plaid Cymru candidate Ann Griffith’s responses in full below:

My name is Ann Griffith, and I am the Plaid Cymru candidate for the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.

I was born in 1960 in the Wexham Maelor Hospital. As was the case for most people who grew up in Barmouth. My childhood was pretty uneventful and happy with the support of parents, grandparents and extended family and lots of family friends and I am fortunate to have life – long friends that I made at school. I attended Ysgol Ardudwy Harlech.

Appointed by Arfon Jones as his Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, I was responsible for Children and Young People, Modern Slavery, Domestic Abuse, Women and justice, Professional standards and Anti-corruption.

With a career spanning forty years as a professional social worker /social work manager working across the north Wales in the public and voluntary with all vulnerable groups I have worked alongside the police and the wider criminal justice system to support victims of crime.

I have own business as an independent child protection consultant and executive coach and am a university associate teaching leadership to senior social care managers.

Victims of crime explain to me they feel unsupported and let down. My life experience, knowledge, skills and values mean I understand and commit to improving the criminal justice system for all.

If you elect me I will focus on preventing crime and re-offending by increasing police visibility and accessibility, early intervention and deterrence and the use of innovative problem-solving initiatives to tackle anti-social behaviour.

I will closely scrutinise the police response to violence, coercive control and stalking towards women and girls, the criminal and sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable adults and serious and organised Crime.

1. What are the key crime issues in North Wales that you think need addressing and plan on focusing on in your term in office if elected

Domestic abuse, Coercive control, and Stalking

Violence against women and Girls

The criminal and sexual exploitation of children and young people often linked to serious and organised crime, county lines drug dealing.

Rural crime – Theft of farm machinery, plant and all terrain vehicle theft; Livestock theft and worrying; Fly tipping and waste from organised crime; Damage caused by trespassers.

Serious and organised crime

All forms of hate crime

Anti-social behaviour i.e. Personal ASB [person targets a specific individual or group]; Nuisance ASB [person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community]; Environmental [person’s actions affect public spaces or buildings.]

Safety of all road users including cyclists, bikers, pedestrians and wheelchair and mobility scooter users.

Fraud

2. There’s still a lot of confusion around what a Police and Crime Commissioner is – if elected how would you raise awareness of the role and your work across the region

Social media, mainstream media, radio interviews and face to camera.

Visit neighbourhoods, listen to people, already promised to return if I get elected.

Attend public events – have stalls in festivals e.g National Eisteddfod coming to Wrexham 2025

Hold Facebook live events

Write opinion pieces

I am sceptical of traditional consultation processes as I believe there is consultation fatigue

Children and young people’s views are very important and will look to reinstate a c&YP Commission.

Use apps that younger people use to garner their views

3. Across the UK the reputation of policing has faced fierce scrutiny in the last few years and trust has decreased. Within your role as Police and Crime Commissioner how would you work to rebuild the relationship between the public and police,

By doing all of the above and responding to issues of concern

Implement the recommendations of the Angolini part one report [ following murder of Sarah Everard and conviction of Wayne Couzens] to ensure everything is done to prevent those entrusted with power of office from abusing that power.

Police become more visible and approachable, create a listening culture

Publicise the national Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service

4. Retail crime has been quite topical lately with assaulting a retail worker to be made a standalone criminal offence. Where does addressing it stand in your priorities and do you have sufficient resources to tackle it.

Retail crime at worse can be volatile and dangerous and I see this as ongoing task within serious and organised crime and therefore will be given the appropriate resources. Collaboration across forces is imperative.

5. What relevant experience have you got for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner?

Deputy Police and Commissioner 2016 – 2020 my portfolio included the following – modern slavery, human resources, children and young people, vulnerable adults and mental health, violence against women and girls, domestic abuse.

Professional registered social worker and senior manager. Worked in public and voluntary sector, child-care and safeguarding.

Social Care Consultant, chaired child protection conferences, delivered child protection training, chaired child practice reviews and secure accommodation panels.

Associate Consultant at Oxford Brooks University, teach and tutor on leadership in social care for senior managers.

Executive coach

Public appointee with the MOJ, investigated financial abuse under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

6. What are your thoughts on the 20mph policy in Wales and secondly how would you put those thoughts into action as Police and Crime Commissioner?

Poorly thought through and difficult for police to enforce. Welcome a change of attitude by minister Ken Skates. I have promised to ask for a review but looks like that might happen anyway.

This has been one of the most talked about issue on the doorstep by men.

Interesting how — The most talked about issue by women has been sexual violence, dv and cc and stalking – what does that tell you?

7. The cost of living crisis shows little sign of improving and Council Tax and precepts from all levels have increased. How will you work to keep the policing precept as low as possible while providing value for money?

Lobby for a fairer funding formula for Wales.

Look for efficiencies.

Ensure auditors are of the highest calibre

Keep a watchful eye myself

Ask staff and officers to identify wase and savings

Ensure procurement is local and ethical

Explore collaboration potential with other forces e.g backoffice tasks

8. A common criticism is a lack of ‘bobbies on the beat’ and a drop in visible policing. Is this something you would look to improve if elected as Police and Crime Commissioner and if so, how? If it’s not a priority – why isn’t it?

Have to be realistic and pragmatic. There are 44,000 fewer police officers now compared with 14 years ago across England and Wales.

Virtually every conversation during this campaign has led to a request for greater visibility – therefore this must be addressed.

9. What are your priorities for reducing rural crime and boosting policing in rural communities across North Wales.

Priority is high as indicated above

Best way of reaching farmers is in the marts and visiting farms

Need to recruit local people with farming background

10. Finally, what are your views on police funding – specifically on local and national levels and how do you think policing should be funded?

Fairing funding for policing in Wales

You can follow Ann Griffith on Facebook here.