What do voters want from PCCs in Wales?

Cyber crime, drug abuse and speeding are just some of the issues that will face Wales' newly elected police and crime commissioners (PCCs).

Voters go to the polls on 2 May to pick Wales' four new PCCs - one for each police force.

The elected officials will help ensure their police forces function effectively, but they do not get involved in day-to-day decision making.

BBC Wales News visited the neighbouring coastal towns of Rhyl and Prestatyn, in Denbighshire, to see what people want their commissioner to focus on.

Stephen Jones, from Rhyl, said he had no idea that police and crime commissioners even existed - but that he knows how it feels to be a victim of crime.

He and his wife, who run the town's SLJ Photography, said they had their business Facebook page hacked in February 2023.

"We lost complete access to it, including about 10,000 page followers," said Mr Jones.

The company lost more than 90% of their business customers, had to lay off two members of staff, were "on the verge of going bankrupt" and lost more than 15 years of work.

Police tried to help, he said, but were ultimately powerless.

Stephen Jones says cyber crime is getting "worse and worse"

Due to his experiences Mr Jones doesn't have to think twice about what he believes the new PCC should be focusing on.

"For us, it has to be cyber crime. It's becoming a bigger problem each and every day. It's getting worse and worse.

"Somebody can go online, steal what you've spent years building up, and the police can't do anything to get it back to you, even though they know who's got it," he added.

"The police just don't seem to have the power to do anything about it."

Julie and Irene are fed up with the smell of drugs on the streets

Friends Julie Matthewman, 63 and Irene Woodhouse, 71, are more concerned with tackling drug use in Rhyl.

"They're injecting everywhere, taking drugs everywhere. You walk around the local park and it stinks," said Ms Matthewman.

"I want to see more police on the streets and especially dealing with the drugs."

Ms Woodhouse agreed: "You walk down the street and you're just smelling weed all the time.

"Where I live is a very quiet street and we've got druggies on our street. People are calling to get their drugs. It's ridiculous. We need these streets patrolling more."

Neil Hall is sceptical any PCC can tackle the necessary problems

Neil Hall, who runs Rhyl's Plastic Crack Collectables, a collectable toy shop, said he wants action, but doubts he will see it, whoever is elected.

"What are they going to change? Are they just feathering their own nest with £80,000 a year wages?" he said.

"If you walk across behind the town hall, there's 10 to 15 alcoholics, druggies, just sat there...that's what people see when they come into Rhyl.

"Nothing will change. I think Rhyl is too far gone for it to change... in the wrong direction."

Jean Harman "never knew the police had a vote thing"

Convenience store manager Jean Harman, 55, is not ashamed to say she knew nothing about the PCC election - or that they existed.

"I didn't know. I'd not heard of it happening or anything. It's not been advertised very well - I've never heard of it.

"No, I've never voted, no. I never knew the police had a vote thing."

After learning PCCs exist, she wants, like many others, a more visible police presence.

"The police station's just there, but you never see them - about a five minute walk. There's two out today, but that's the first time probably in a few weeks."

Just a couple of miles along the coast, in Prestatyn, are the views any different?

Like many in Rhyl, Gemma Williams, 41, owner of Prestatyn's The Little Cheesemonger, wants a more visible police presence.

Gemma Williams set up an emergency WhatsApp group for local businesses

She set up a Whatsapp group for local shopkeepers after one of them was robbed.

If ever one of them needs help in an emergency, they can use the group to call on each other.

While she has no criticism of police, she said: "I think as a small business... it'd be really nice to see a police presence on the high street - just to help us out if we need it."

Outside Gemma's store, another person who knows nothing about PCCs.

Shopper Ceri Evans said she wasn't even aware a PCC election was taking place.

"I don't really know that much about them to be honest," she said.

Tackling anti-social behaviour in Prestatyn would be Hayley Morgan's main focus

However, Hayley Morgan, co-owner of gift shop The Twisted Tree gifts and cards shop, is well aware of the election.

She is also a member of the emergency high street's WhatsApp group.

"I think over the last, maybe couple of years... there's been a bit of a change within the town," she said.

"There's a lot more things taking place that could do with maybe a greater police presence. Anti-social behaviour more than anything I think.

"To have that addressed within our town would be key for us."