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Ahead of Deaf Awareness Week 2026, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin has introduced a British Sign Language (BSL) version of his Police and Crime Plan, aiming to make policing priorities more accessible to deaf and hard of hearing residents.
The move aligns with this year’s theme, ‘Right to understand – Together, we break barriers’, led by the British Deaf Association. In Wales, more than 500,000 people are deaf or hard of hearing, according to Action Deafness Cymru, underlining the need for accessible public information.
The new BSL version allows residents who use sign language to engage with policing priorities in their preferred format for the first time. The initiative was prompted by Paula Williams, a Level 4 BSL student at Coleg Llandrillo, who raised concerns about gaps in accessibility.
She said: “I believe that everyone is entitled to have equal access to public services and to feel safe and valued in their local communities and that communication is key to this.
“I hope that having a BSL version of the Police and Crime Plan available for deaf communities in North Wales is the start of many projects that aim to promote inclusion for BSL users locally.”
Paula Williams.
Following her approach, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner worked with Sign Solutions to translate the plan into BSL, alongside subtitled English and Welsh versions to ensure wider accessibility.
Alongside the plan, North Wales Police continues to provide emergency support for BSL users through the BSL 999 app, which connects callers to a trained interpreter who relays information to police operators. Work is also underway between the OPCC and force control room to explore similar accessibility for 101 non-emergency calls and roadside interactions.
“I am proud that the Police and Crime Plan will now be able to reach more of North Wales’ residents in their preferred language. It is important that all individuals living in North Wales are aware of what Police are expected to deliver on to keep their communities safe.
“I value the input of members of the public. It’s for all of us involved in public service to rise to the challenge and meet the expectations of residents.”
PCC Andy Dunbobbin
Clare Vale, Managing Director of Sign Solutions, added: “Deaf people need information in their first language just as much as hearing people and this is a great example of a public body recognising how important it is that the documents they provide are accessible to everyone in the community.”
The OPCC said it hopes to expand BSL provision further as new information is published, building on what it describes as a first step towards improving access and inclusion for BSL users across North Wales.
The BSL version of the Police and Crime Plan can be found on the BSL Hub on the OPCC website here: BSL Hub | Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner North Wales and also on their YouTube, here: PCC Andy Dunbobbin’s Police and Crime Plan for North Wales (BSL).
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