A police officer and farmer from Llandrindod Wells has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award for her outstanding work tackling rural crime in Powys.

PC Charlie Jones, who has served as a rural crime officer since 2018 and has more than 28 years' experience in the police, was recognised at the Wales Wildlife and Rural Crime Conference 2025 for her “consistent contribution to rural crime.”

The award was presented by Deputy First Minister and Climate Change Cabinet Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies MS at the event in Cardiff, which also launched the new Wales Wildlife and Rural Crime Strategy 2025–2028.

Charlie, an accredited wildlife crime investigations officer, has built strong ties with the rural and farming community. She runs her own farm in Llandrindod Wells, breeds pedigree sheep, and regularly shows livestock across the UK, including at the Royal Welsh Show.

“I didn’t know I had been nominated for an award, and it was a huge surprise," she said.

“It is an honour to be recognised at a national level for our work within the rural and wildlife sector. It highlights all the good we are doing in Dyfed-Powys to help combat rural crime.

“A lot of our work includes prevention, protecting and supporting victims of crime, rural communities and wildlife. Often our work can go under the radar as it is not traditionally considered frontline policing.

“We help protect our wildlife and recognise offences and investigate accordingly."

Charlie said she sees herself as “the link between the police and the farming community,” helping to give farmers a voice and address their specific concerns.

“Working in the farming community can often be isolating," she added.

"Rural communities may often only speak to people at farmers markets or agricultural shows, so it is important to recognise the best way to reach out to them. We are slowly building up trust and building good relationships with the communities.”

She developed her passion for farming as a teenager, leaving home at 16 to work on a Radnorshire hill farm.

“Farming is a huge part of my life," she said.

“I understand farmers and many of their concerns and how rural crime can have a huge impact on farmers and their livelihoods.”

Detective Sergeant Paul Roberts, of the Rural Crime Team, praised her as “a true credit to Dyfed-Powys Police,” adding: “Charlie is a valued member of the rural crime team, a true team player that will help others with specialist rural matters.”

Also recognised at the conference was PCSO Gary Gwilt, based in Newtown, who received the Rural PCSO of the Year award for his “unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions” to communities across Powys.

Gary covers all of Powys for rural crime and has assisted with leading on heritage crime investigations.

Gary, who has worked for Dyfed-Powys Police for more than 20 years, said: “I didn’t expect to have an award and I was incredibly shocked. I am very humbled to receive the award especially as it is part and parcel of my job.”