North Wales Police has launched a new specialist Mountain Rescue Support Team in what the force says is a first for policing in England and Wales.
The new team has been created to strengthen the police response to incidents involving vulnerable people and potentially volatile situations in the mountains and rural areas of North Wales.
Officers will work alongside established mountain rescue teams and other emergency service partners, providing dedicated police support when individuals may be at risk of harming themselves or others in difficult-to-access locations.
North Wales is home to some of the UK’s most popular and challenging mountain landscapes, attracting millions of visitors each year.
However, the geography of the region can create significant challenges for emergency services, particularly when responding to incidents in remote locations where specialist skills, equipment and coordination are required.
The new Mountain Rescue Support Team is designed to give North Wales Police additional capability when dealing with these situations.
Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, KPM said: “The creation of the first Police Mountain Rescue Support Team in England and Wales represents a significant step forward in our ability to protect communities and visitors across North Wales.
“Our officers regularly operate in some of the most challenging environments in the country, and this dedicated team will enhance our effectiveness, improve public safety, and further strengthen our partnership working with mountain rescue teams and other emergency services.”
Members of the specialist team will continue working in their normal day-to-day policing roles.
However, they will now be recognised as having an additional specialist skill and can be deployed as part of the Mountain Rescue Support Team when required.
