The Safer Communities Board for Wales met on 2 June 2026, topics discussed included the Senedd elections, emerging legislative reforms, and frontline practitioner priorities. Discussions reflected a strong commitment to partnership working across Wales, alongside recognition of increasing complexity in the operating environment, particularly in relation to funding pressures, system reform, and rising community tensions.
Summary of Discussions
Civility in Public Life and Elections
Members reflected on experiences of the recent Senedd elections. While policing partners reported fewer issues than anticipated, there remains a concerning backdrop of abuse, online harm, and declining confidence among potential candidates.
Work is ongoing across the four nations to promote healthy democratic engagement, including guidance for councillors and public awareness campaigns. Concerns were also raised about the growing role of AI and misinformation in influencing public discourse and potentially undermining democratic processes.
Legislative and Policy Developments
The Board received updates on a range of significant reforms, including:
- Policing Reform White Paper and proposals affecting governance, accountability, and local delivery
- Sentencing Act implementation, including early release measures and associated pressures on services
- Youth justice and probation developments, including potential further devolution and new partnership arrangements
- PCSO review assessing the contribution and value of community policing roles across Wales
Members highlighted the scale of change underway and stressed the importance of ensuring reforms reflect the Welsh context, particularly to protect local partnerships, prevention activity, and community-based services.
Emerging Practice and Delivery Models
Updates were provided on:
- Youth partnership panels and prevention models, demonstrating positive early outcomes in identifying and supporting vulnerable young people
- Intensive supervision courts, with a strong Welsh proposal submitted to support a targeted cohort of women in Swansea. The proposal reflects analysis of Wales-wide data and has received support from PCCs across Wales, with learning intended to inform wider approaches.
These initiatives highlight continued innovation across Wales but reinforce the need for sustained investment and coordination.
Voices from the Frontline – Key Findings
The Board considered findings from the Community Safety practitioner survey, which identified:
- Key issues: serious violence, anti-social behaviour, and substance misuse
- Most affected groups: children and young people, vulnerable adults, and women and girls
- System challenges: fragmented funding, burdensome processes, and limited CSP capacity
There was strong consensus that the findings align with wider system pressures and provide a robust evidence base to inform policy and reform discussions. The report highlights consistent practitioner calls for sustainable funding and a stronger focus on early intervention and prevention. The Board agreed to use the report to influence both Welsh and UK Government, including through formal correspondence.
Community Cohesion and Current Risks
Members highlighted increasing concerns around:
- Rising hate crime (including antisemitism and other faith-based tensions)
- The impact of global events on local communities
- Seasonal risks linked to summer pressures and cost-of-living impacts
Partners are actively working with the Home Office and local networks to monitor and respond to emerging risks, with an emphasis on preparedness and prevention.
Key Actions and Next Steps
Continued monitoring of community cohesion risks and sharing of intelligence and best practice
Formal Board correspondence to Welsh and UK Government sharing frontline evidence and influencing policy decisions
Continued cross-sector work on civility in public life, including a follow-up meeting ahead of future elections
Ongoing engagement with national reforms, ensuring Welsh perspectives are reflected in decision-making
Further development of community safety models and guidance to support CSP effectiveness and consistency across Wales
