SAMUEL Kurtz has welcomed the UK Government’s confirmation that Dyfed-Powys Police will receive a significant funding increase for 2026-27, supporting local and rural policing across the region.

Following the UK Government’s decision to scrap Police and Crime Commissioners, Samuel Kurtz MS, alongside MS Paul Davies, wrote to the Minister of State for Policing and Crime campaigning for additional funding to ensure their local force was top of the queue for any surplus funds as a result of the changes.

“With Police and Crime Commissioners being scrapped, we are calling on the UK Government to direct this money back into our communities, not let it be swallowed up in Westminster budgets,” the local Senedd Members had told constituents in December 2025. “We want to see this funding invested directly into frontline policing, strengthened rural crime teams, youth services, and community crime prevention here in Pembrokeshire and across West Wales.”

In a response from Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Policing and Crime, the Government confirmed that total funding to territorial police forces in England and Wales will rise to up to £18.4 billion, an increase of £796 million compared to 2025-26. This represents a 4.5% cash increase and a 2.3% real terms rise.

Dyfed-Powys Police will receive up to £170.9 million, an increase of £7.3 million from last year, ensuring that local forces have the resources needed to tackle crime effectively in both towns and rural communities.

“This is welcome news for Dyfed-Powys and for our community,” said Samuel Kurtz MS. “Securing this funding ensures our local police can continue to respond effectively to crime, keep people safe, and support the unique challenges faced by rural areas. Paul Davies and I are pleased that our campaigning helped secure this outcome for our local communities and local police.”