North Wales Police
Wales · Territorial force · 1,550 officers
Key Statistics
Officers
1,550
Staff
750
Area (sq miles)
2,375
Population served
700,000
About North Wales Police
Covering the six counties of North Wales including Snowdonia. A bilingual force offering rural and coastal policing with excellent quality of life and affordable housing.
North Wales Police serves a diverse geographic area that includes rural landscapes, coastal regions, and urban centers across six counties in Wales. The force operates in areas characterized by scenic national parks, such as Snowdonia, which not only offers beautiful surroundings but also presents unique policing challenges. The region is bordered by England, making cross-border collaboration essential with neighboring police forces. Additionally, North Wales is home to significant transport corridors and several key attractions, including historical sites and tourism hotspots, which demand active policing for safety and security.
The police force boasts several noteworthy specialist units, reflecting its diverse operational needs. These include the Dog Unit, Cybercrime Unit, and a dedicated Rural Crime Team, each addressing specific local issues and enhancing the force's overall capabilities. Furthermore, the force takes pride in its Community Response Teams that are designed to provide quick and efficient responses to incidents, as well as a proactive stance on community engagement.
In terms of strategic priorities, North Wales Police focuses on issues such as public safety, crime prevention, and community engagement, ensuring that they address the concerns of local residents effectively. The force emphasizes working in partnership with other organizations to tackle broader challenges like domestic violence and substance abuse, highlighting its commitment to improving community well-being while maintaining a visible and approachable policing presence.
Current priorities
- Public safety
- Crime prevention
- Community engagement
- Domestic violence support
Notable specialisms
Source: About North Wales Police. Summary fetched 2026-07-05.
Public-data snapshot
Workforce
Officers
1,550
Staff
750
Total headcount
2,300
Source: Home Office Police Workforce Statistics as of 31 March 2025 · OGL v3
HMICFRS PEEL rating
good
Inspection cycle: 2023-2025
Source: HMICFRS PEEL assessments · Open Government Licence v3.0
From data.police.uk
data.police.uk covers England, Wales & Northern Ireland; not Police Scotland.
Engagement & social channels
Stop and search
Latest available month: 2026-08. 274 recorded stop-and-search records that month. Officer-defined ethnicity was recorded on 100% of records.
By object of search (2026-08)
| Controlled drugs | 174 |
| Offensive weapons | 48 |
| Stolen goods | 20 |
| Evidence of offences under the Act | 11 |
| Articles for use in criminal damage | 9 |
| Article for use in theft | 8 |
| Detailed object of search unavailable | 3 |
| Firearms | 1 |
By outcome (2026-08)
| A no further action disposal | 179 |
| Arrest | 45 |
| (not recorded) | 21 |
| Community resolution | 18 |
| Summons / charged by post | 11 |
Source: data.police.uk · Open Government Licence v3.0
Recorded crime by category
6,771 crimes recorded by North Wales Police in 2026-08 (latest published month), by category. Counted from the published street-level archive; England, Wales & Northern Ireland only.
| Crime type (2026-08) | Recorded |
|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 2,723 |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,327 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 608 |
| Shoplifting | 514 |
| Public order | 511 |
| Other theft | 409 |
| Burglary | 155 |
| Other crime | 151 |
| Drugs | 150 |
| Vehicle crime | 130 |
| Possession of weapons | 35 |
| Robbery | 29 |
| Bicycle theft | 16 |
| Theft from the person | 13 |
| Total | 6,771 |
Source: data.police.uk street-level archive · Open Government Licence v3.0
Deaths during or following police contact
IOPC-recorded fatalities involving North Wales Police over 2004/05 to 2024/25 (2024/25 in brackets). These use the IOPC’s five categories, which have different definitions and are not additive. Figures count incidents the IOPC attributed to North Wales Police; see the national page for how multi-force incidents are handled.
Recruitment
How to join North Wales Police
Application stages, entry routes, fitness and vetting requirements.