NORTH Wales' newly-elected police and crime commissioner is to put his background in technology to use to make the region a safer place to live and work.

Andy Dunbobbin has said he will increase the number of officers and staff during his three-year term of office.

He also promised to improve the technology at their disposal so police officers could spend more time out and about in communities across North Wales

Also, coming from a background in the technology sector, the commissioner was acutely aware that scams and online attacks now account for almost half of all offences.

As well masterminding the fight against cybercrime in North Wales, Mr Dunbobbin will be playing a leading UK role after the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners elected him as their deputy lead for police technology and digital and deputy lead for economic and cybercrime, including fraud.

He said: “It is vital that the police services’ approach to cybercrime is well co-ordinated and effective in providing a quality service for the people of North Wales.

“Cybercrime offences are still hugely under-reported nationally and we will work to build the confidence of people and businesses within North Wales to report these crimes.”

Mr Dunbobbin gave the assurance in his first Police and Crime Plan which sets out the overall strategy for policing North Wales that Chief Constable Carl Foulkes will implement.

The plan will be presented to a meeting of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel tomorrow (September 20).