Use of force 559/2025

FOI Reference: 559/2025

Request:

Please send me a log of all of the types of use of force one of your officers used - over these time periods - which fit into the "other/improvised" category on your use of force database. Examples of "other" use of force may include restraining detainees against walls, grappling detainees, punching detainees in the face i.e. any use of force that doesn't fit into your typical use of force categories will likely be included in the "other/improvised" category.

Clarification received:

The request clumsily referred to “types of use of force one of your officers used”. This is not very clear. I want to clarify that I want the requested use of force information concerning all officers during the timeframe not just a random one. Please would you be so kind as to acknowledge receipt of this clarification so I know you have got it.

Further Request

Thanks for your response to my request (471/2025), which was rejected on cost grounds. You helpfully said at present the retrieval of the information would take around 19 hours, only one hour off the limit. So is it possible to please answer the questions for Jan and Feb 2025 and only the first two weeks of March 2025? 

Response:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

Other improvised specifics not recorded: - 377

Took hold of arm: - 14

Pinned arms: - 12

No force used against male: - 2

Taken to the ground: - 1

Held on to head: - 1

Pinned to wall: - 1

Push to create space: - 1

Pushed onto bed: - 1

Rugby tackle: - 1

Dragged suspect out from under bed: - 1

Hands on shoulders to keep suspect still: - 1

Pulled subject backwards to stop running away: - 1

Pulled up off the floor: - 1

Escort Cuffs: - 1

Taken to ground: - 1

Escort hold: - 1

Had to grab suspect multiple times: - 1

No physical force used: - 1

Added in Error: - 1

Force used to get male into cell: - 1

Pushed: - 1

Opened in error ignore: - 1                                               

It should be noted that as a result of the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such information that the information released may or may not be accurate.

Furthermore, it should also be noted that Police forces in the United Kingdom are routinely required to provide crime statistics to government bodies and the recording criteria is set nationally. However, the systems used for recording these figures are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the crime data. It should be noted that for these reasons this force's response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other response you may receive.

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 31/07/2025)