DYFED-Powys Police’s top cop has announced his retirement from the police service.

Chief Constable Simon Prince has led the force for the past three years and will be stepping down this coming summer.

His career in policing began in 1990 and it had always been his intention to retire at 50.

In making his announcement, Mr Prince said: “It has been an enormous privilege to be the Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police; it is an area and force like no other.

“When I took up this post, I was determined that despite the rapidly changing policing landscape, we would not falter on the service our communities receive. Since 2013, we have been on a significant journey to restructure our organisation and, while this has not been an easy process, my officers and staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the communities they serve remain the safest - I am so proud of what they achieve day-in-day out.

“I’m also grateful for the support that the communities in our area unfailingly show to their local policing teams – it’s what makes policing here work and is a strength that is the envy of many other forces nationally.”

Mr Prince added that there will be many more challenges to come, but is confident that the force has the right staff, structure and attitude to meet them head on.

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon said: “I am grateful to Simon Prince for his many years of service to the public in Dyfed-Powys and in Gwent before. He has been a thoughtful and positive contributor to British policing at a time when such contributions are most needed. I am sorry to see him go but I understand his decision. I wish him the very best for his future plans.”