News
Pembrokeshire residents need photo ID to vote at elections in May
RESIDENTS in Pembrokeshire will need to show photographic ID to vote in local elections on 2nd May. Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote by checking they have an accepted form of ID.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport or drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online at www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a paper form.
The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.
Jackie Killeen, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance, said:
“Anyone voting at a polling station will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. It’s important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it. You can find information about the new requirement and what to expect at the polling station, on the Electoral Commission’s website.”
Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must also be registered to vote. It only takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.
The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station was introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act and came into effect for the first time in May 2023.
Crime
Teen drug dealer admits offences after proactive police stop
A TEENAGER has admitted dealing drugs after being caught with cocaine, cannabis and cash during a targeted police stop in Carmarthenshire .
Cole Stevens, aged 19, from Llanelli, was stopped by Dyfed-Powys Police officers after being seen driving a white Renault Clio suspected of being linked to drug supply in the area.
Officers from the Roads Policing Unit intercepted the vehicle on Capel Isaf Road shortly after 10:30pm on Saturday (Mar 28), carrying out a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
During the search, Stevens immediately admitted he was in possession of cannabis, handing it to officers. A further search uncovered a mobile phone hidden under the driver’s seat and a tobacco pouch containing 12 snap bags of white powder, confirmed by Stevens to be cocaine.
Police also recovered a wrap of white crystalline substance from inside his sock, along with £780 in cash.
Stevens was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs and taken into custody. A subsequent search of his home uncovered handwritten notes believed to be linked to drug dealing activity.
While in custody, Stevens made a number of incriminating remarks, including: “I just have to do it to earn a living,” and “you got me, you have what you need…”
Drug experts later confirmed the quantity of substances seized exceeded what would be considered for personal use, with an estimated street value of £1,460.
Stevens appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 30), where he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of cannabis, acquiring criminal property, and being concerned in the supply of cocaine between Oct 30, 2025 and Mar 28, 2026.
He was released on conditional bail and is due to be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on April 20.
Detective Constable Steve Thomas said: “This result highlights our commitment to proactively removing drugs from our streets through targeted and intelligence-led patrols.
“The weight of evidence against Stevens left him no option but to plead guilty.
“If you are dealing drugs in the Dyfed-Powys force area, you will be caught and you will be prosecuted.”
Crime
Police appeal after attempted child abduction in Haverfordwest
DYFED-POWYS POLICE has launched an appeal for witnesses following a reported attempted abduction of a 12-year-old girl in Haverfordwest.
The incident is understood to have happened at around 3:55pm on Tuesday (March 24) on Scarrowscant Lane, near Furzy Park.
According to police, the child was approached by two men in a vehicle described as similar to a shiny blue Audi A4. The passenger got out, spoke to the girl and briefly grabbed her arm before releasing her and returning to the car.
The vehicle then drove off towards Furzy Park.
The girl was not injured and made her way home, where her parents alerted police.
The man who approached her is described as white, about 5ft 11in tall, with short dark brown hair and a brown beard. He is believed to be in his forties and was wearing a black T-shirt, black jogging bottoms and white trainers.
The driver remained in the vehicle and has not yet been described.
Officers have been carrying out enquiries since the incident was reported and are now urging anyone who may have seen what happened, or who may have dashcam footage from the area at the time, to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference 26*235970.
News
Welsh Labour pledges income tax freeze ahead of Senedd election
WELSH Labour leader Eluned Morgan has pledged to freeze Welsh rates of income tax if her party forms the next government, as Labour prepares to launch its Senedd election manifesto on Monday (Mar 30).
Speaking in Swansea, Morgan is expected to position the policy as part of a wider effort to ease pressure on households during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
In remarks released ahead of the launch, she said a future Welsh Labour government “will not raise income tax” during the next Senedd term.
She added: “Fairness starts with understanding the pressure families face, but fairness also means action.
“This manifesto delivers real help with the cost of living.”
Key pledges outlined
Alongside the proposed tax freeze, Welsh Labour says its manifesto will include a number of headline commitments.
These include a £2 cap on single bus fares across Wales, maintaining £1 fares for young people, and continuing free travel for over-60s.
The party has also pledged to create 20,000 new childcare places, expanding provision to include children from nine months old.
Other priorities outlined ahead of the launch include investment in the NHS, with plans for new hospital developments and expanded mental health support, as well as measures aimed at tackling environmental issues such as river pollution and fly-tipping.
Labour also says it will focus on job creation through green energy projects and introduce a “lifelong retraining guarantee”.
Context and scrutiny
The Welsh Government has the power to vary income tax rates in Wales, but changes have not been made since partial control over income tax was devolved in 2019.
A freeze would maintain current rates rather than reduce the tax burden, meaning the policy is unlikely to increase take-home pay directly but could prevent future rises.
Opposition parties are expected to challenge Labour’s plans during the campaign, particularly around funding commitments and delivery of large-scale pledges such as NHS investment and childcare expansion.
Welsh Labour also used its pre-launch briefing to criticise Plaid Cymru, claiming its rivals are focused on constitutional issues rather than economic priorities. Plaid Cymru has yet to formally respond to the manifesto announcement.
Election backdrop
The Senedd election is due to take place on Thursday (May 7), with the cost of living, NHS performance, and economic growth expected to dominate the campaign.
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