Former deputy PCC in the north of Wales seeking the Plaid Cymru nomination for the post

Gareth Williams, local democracy reporter

A former North Wales Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner is seeking the Plaid Cymru nomination for the top job.

Appointed in 2016 to assist Arfon Jones shortly after his election to the post, Ann Griffith has revealed she is seeking the Plaid Cymru nomination for the post following his decision not to seek re-election.

Labour is the only party known to have officially put forward a candidate thus far, nominating Flintshire councillor Andy Dunbobbin for the £70,000 a year role.

Originally from Barmouth in Gwynedd, Ms Griffith later became an Anglesey county councillor for the Bro Aberffraw ward before stepping down for the 2017 local elections.

But with her contract as Arfon Jones’ deputy expiring last March, the role has since remained vacant.

Upon her appointment, Mr Jones had said he was looking for a deputy with a specific set of skills and that Ms Griffith “fitted the bill perfectly,” having 30 years’ experience working as a social worker with both vulnerable adults and children, ten of which employed by the NSPCC.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Ms Griffith described herself as the ‘continuity candidate.’

“I believe I can hit the ground running, which is needed in a national crisis, already knowing the job inside out.

“I would be so honoured to be chosen by my fellow Plaid Cymru members. I have been a loyal, hard working activist for a number of years and was on the Senedd North Wales List.

“If selected I will work tirelessly to ensure Good Governance in policing.

“I am committed to working in an accountable and transparent manner, serving the public to the best of my ability in order to ensure an effective and efficient police service for north Wales.”

‘Protect the public’

Currently employed by Anglesey Council as an independent safeguarding and reviewing officer for care experienced children – including victims of neglect and domestic abuse – she previously held the authority’s shadow social services portfolio.

Having worked on aspects of policing including modern slavery, exploitation, and serious and organised crime, she added: “Police Officers are there to protect the public and in particular the vulnerable victims of crime and to police by consent

“When the rest of us run from danger, officers run towards it. I strongly believe that officers must be well looked after in order that they can care for the rest of us. I am committed to promoting officer well-being.”

“I strongly believe that to do this officers must be well looked after.”

The internal party process to nominate Plaid’s formal candidate is not yet known, but the election is expected to take place on May 6 which would coincide with the Senedd Election.

The post of PCC was created in 2012 and is responsible for holding the police force to account on the public’s behalf.

The first person to serve in the role for North Wales was barrister Winston Roddick, who stood as an independent.

In May 2016, at the end of his four-year term, Mr Roddick decided to step down, replaced following the subsequent election by Plaid’s Arfon Jones.

Duties include setting out the priorities for policing the north of Wales, deciding the budget, holding the Chief Constable to account and to listen and respond to public views on policing.