Dyfed Powys Police are celebrating a 15 per cent reduction of crime in its 40th anniversary year. Between April 2007-08 there has been 4,485 less victims of crime in the force area compared to the previous year 2006-07, with 43 per cent of these being detected. Violent crime is reduced by 22 per cent, equating to over 1,800 less victims, and domestic burglary is down by three percent. Criminal damage is down by 17 per cent and vehicle crime is down by three per cent. As well as these bold statistics, the force was recently graded excellent by the HMIC in its management of sex offenders and remains one of only a handful of forces nationally to be graded excellent in its provision of public protection services. The most recent user satisfaction survey highlights that over 85 per cent of people are completely, very or fairly satisfied with their first-hand experience of Dyfed Powys Police. The figures come as Dyfed Powys Police celebrates its 40th anniversary year. Dyfed Powys Constabulary was formed in 1968 following the amalgamation of Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire Police, Mid Wales Constabulary and Pembrokeshire Police. The force is holding a number of events to commemorate the anniversary, including an open day at its police headquarters in Llangunnor on September 28. Acting Chief Constable Andy Edwards said: "In our 40th year the force has undoubtedly lived up to the high expectations of its founders in 1968. "As well as the outstanding figures in respect of crime reduction and crime detection our current roll out of neighbourhood policing in many ways takes us back to an era in which the police force was closer to its communities. "Having worked in a number of areas both here and internationally in my service, I can honestly say the relationship we enjoy with our public is second to none and this is something this organisation will strive to maintain for the next 40 years." The force has also recently announced the appointments of a new Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constable. Ian Arundale has been appointed as the seventh Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys Police. He is currently the Deputy Chief Constable of West Mercia Constabulary. He joined West Mercia Constabulary as an Assistant Chief Constable from South Wales Police where he moved up through the ranks to the role of Chief Superintendent over 21 years, serving in a number of uniform and CID roles. Andy Edwards is currently acting Chief Constable. He has recently been appointed as deputy chief constable. He has been a police officer for 29 years and initially served throughout the South Wales Constabulary before transferring to Dyfed-Powys in 1991. He was promoted temporarily to Assistant Chief Constable in January, 2004 and appointed to the post in December of that year. Nick Ingram will be joining Dyfed Powys Police as Assistant Chief Constable from Cheshire Constabulary. With 26 years service, he joined Merseyside Police in 1982 and served there for 15 years before transferring to Cheshire where he has since served another 11 years. He joins Dyfed Powys Police from his post as divisional Commander for the Northern area of Cheshire constabulary. Chair of the Police Authority, Alasdair Kenwright, said: "The communities of Dyfed-Powys are set to benefit from our new senior officer appointments. Ian Arundale as Chief Constable and Nick Ingram as Assistant Chief Constable will complement the strengths of the existing team. We can look forward to new ideas as well as the continuation of the high-quality service the force has always provided."