Equality & Inclusion

Our vision is for South Wales Police ‘to be the best at understanding and responding to our communities’ needs’. We know that this cannot be achieved without prioritising equality and diversity and working to achieve real outcomes.

We acknowledge that there is always much more to do in order that everyone in South Wales can live free from discrimination, harassment, inequality and disadvantage. We hope that our Equality Action Plan will bring us closer to our vision by building on the progress already achieved in promoting equality and diversity.

Joint Equality Plan

The publication of our Joint Equality Plan 2019-2023, sets out our joint determination to ensure that South Wales Police delivers on our key equality objectives. This document sets out our plans to ensure that equality is given the focus it needs and that progress is continually monitored. The equality objectives contained in this Equality Action Plan are those we have chosen as the key areas we need to pursue to meet our aims under the General Duty: Equality Act 2010. They have also been identified in consultation with representative organisations.

A copy of our Easy Read version our Joint Equality Plan is available here

Progress Updates

Progress against objectives will be outlined in our annual reports and annual monitoring information.  The Commissioner receives regular reports on progress and scrutinises outcomes. 

Monitoring and Equality Information from previous years can be accessed below: 

Annual Monitoring 

• Joint Equality Action Plan – Annual Monitoring Report & Equality Data – June 2017

Equality Information

• Equality Information June 2015
• Equality Information June 2013
• Equality Information June 2012
• South Wales Police Gender Pay Gap Report 2020

The Equality Act

The Police and Crime Commissioner works to ensure that those who work or interact with us or South Wales Police, are treated fairly and with respect and that they are not discriminated against because of any of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.  These include:

• Age
• Disability (including physical, mental, sensory and learning disabilities)
• Gender Reassignment
• Marriage or Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Race (including race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin)
• Religion and belief
• Sex
• Sexual Orientation

When carrying out his role, the Commissioner and South Wales Police must also have due regard to the need to:

1. Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited under the Act,
2. Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and people who do not share it,
3. Foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

Equality and Inclusion - Priority Areas 

Some of the other priority areas of focus regarding equality and inclusion for the Commissioner and his team are:

• Encouraging diversity into South Wales Police
• Encouraging Hate Crime reporting and victim satisfaction
• Monitoring stop & search use and telling the public about stop search
• Encouraging use of the Keep Safe Cymru Scheme (for people with specific communication needs)
• Engaging with the public

Criminal Justice Anti-Racism Action Plan for Wales

On the 8th September 2022, the Criminal Justice Board for Wales published their Anti-Racism Action Plan. The plan outlines the determination of partners across Wales to do all they can, individually and collectively to root out any racism across the Justice System in Wales.

Download a copy of the Plan here.

Welsh Language Standards

In Wales, the Welsh Language is also recognised as a strand of equality.  For more information on our Welsh Language duties, click here.

For more information on our equality and inclusion work, contact Hannah Jenkins-Jones (Hannah.jenkins-jones@south-wales.police.uk or 01656 869366)