THE Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, has praised Gwent Police for its work in preventing the abuse of position for a sexual purpose after inspectors found the service has comprehensive and proactive plans in place to address this issue.

In December 2016, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) recommended that within six months all police forces in England and Wales should develop and begin to implement plans required to seek intelligence on potential abuse of position for a sexual purpose.

Forces were asked to submit plans to HMICFRS by May 31 2017 for review.

According to a report published by HMICFRS today, the plans submitted by Gwent Police are comprehensive and reflected the national strategy agreed at the National Police Chief’s Council in April 2017.

Mr Cuthbert said: “It has been made clear by Gwent Police that there is no place in the service for those who abuse their position for sexual or emotional purposes. I want to reassure the public that any reports of abuse of power will be dealt with swiftly and robustly here in Gwent.”