News
42 new officers for Dyfed Powys Police in the first wave of police recruitment
DYFED Powys Police has a recruitment target of 42 new officers in the first wave of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s pledge to increase officer numbers across the UK.
The Home Office on Wednesday (Oct 9) confirmed the officer recruitment targets for every police force in England and Wales for the first year of the unprecedented drive to increase their ranks by 20,000 over the next three years.
Stephen Crabb, Preseli Pembrokeshire MP has said that this is ‘a strong start’ to helping Dyfed Powys tackle new forms of crime and keep West Wales as one of the safest parts of the country.
Following the Home Office announcement, Stephen Crabb said: “Forty-two additional police officers for Dyfed Powys Police is a strong start to strengthening frontline policing and making people feel safer.
I praised the good work local officers do in tackling County Lines drug gang in Parliament earlier this year and asked that additional resources be provided to help them stamp out this and other terrible crimes. I’m pleased the Prime Minister listened and is delivered on his pledge to increase officers numbers.”
Strengthening police numbers is a priority for the government, which is providing £750 million to support forces to recruit up to 6,000 additional officers onto our streets by the end of 2020-21, the first stage in this new uplift. This is thanks to the additional funding announced by the Chancellor in the Spending Review.
Every single police force in England and Wales will be able to recruit additional officers this year to help keep all of our communities safer.
All officers recruited as part of the 20,000 uplifts will be added to those hired to fill existing vacancies. They are also on top of the extra officers already being recruited because of the £1 billion increase in police funding for 2019-20, which includes money from council tax and for serious violence.
Government funding for recruitment in 2020-21 will cover all associated costs, including training and kit.
Community
Port launches waterway safety competition with monthly prizes
THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has announced the launch of its first Waterway Safety Competition, set to begin in April.
The initiative aims to promote safe and responsible use of the Milford Haven Waterway, one of the busiest and most diverse waterways in Wales. The waterway is used daily by paddleboarders, kayakers, sailors, swimmers, and large commercial vessels, making safety a key priority.
As part of the competition, participants are invited to showcase their own interpretation of the waterway through any creative medium. All art forms are welcome, and entries will be judged monthly.
Each month, winners will receive prizes designed to support water safety, including lifejackets and training sessions.
The Port hopes the competition will encourage greater awareness of safety while celebrating the unique character of the waterway.
For more information or to enter, visit: https://www.mhpa.co.uk/waterway-safety-competition/
News
Reform UK unveils Carmarthenshire Senedd candidates
REFORM UK Wales has announced its full list of candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin (Carmarthenshire) ahead of the Senedd election on Thursday, May 7.
Leading the list is Gareth Beer, the party’s Carmarthenshire chairman, a local businessman, father of four and Kidwelly town councillor. In the 2024 General Election, he came within around 1,500 votes of winning the Llanelli seat — Reform UK’s strongest result in Wales.
Beer said the party had assembled “a strong team of decent, hard-working people” ready to represent the county.
He said: “We have already started campaigning strongly across the constituency, and the reception we are receiving on the doorstep has been overwhelmingly positive.
“People have had enough of the lies they hear from politicians and want to give a new party a genuine chance to make real changes.”
He added that key issues raised by voters included NHS waiting lists, education standards, the economy and the cost of living.
Full candidate list
The Reform UK candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin are:
Gareth Beer – Businessman, Kidwelly town councillor and Carmarthenshire chairman for Reform UK.
Carmelo Colasanto – County and community councillor with a background in retail, compliance and multinational business operations.
Sarah Edwards – Retired dental professional and smallholder, known for campaigning on rural and environmental issues.
Christopher Brooke – Retired engineer and manager with more than four decades’ experience in manufacturing.
Alan Cole – Former senior corporate leader and business owner who has worked with small businesses across South Wales.
Michelle Beer – Marketing and PR professional and Reform UK county councillor for the Lliedi ward, elected in a 2025 by-election.
The party said the team brings experience from business, engineering, healthcare and public service.
Reform UK Wales said its campaign in Carmarthenshire would focus on reducing NHS waiting times, improving education, supporting small businesses and addressing the rising cost of living.
The party is positioning itself as an alternative to what it describes as the political “status quo” in Cardiff Bay.
News
Police watchdog investigates after gunshot fired inside Milford Haven flats
A POLICE firearm was discharged inside a block of flats in Milford Haven during an incident on Saturday evening (March 28), it has emerged.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a single shot was fired at around 6:32pm after officers were called to reports of disorder at Bunkers Hill involving a person believed to be carrying a knife.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has now confirmed it has been notified. A spokesperson said the force had made a voluntary conduct referral, which will be assessed before any decision is made on further action.
Police have stated that the firearm was not directed at any individual and that no injuries were reported.
A witness close to the matter told The Herald that the shot was fired as an officer entered the flats and moved up the stairs, with the bullet striking a breeze block wall. This account has not yet been officially confirmed.
When Herald reporters attended the scene on Sunday afternoon, a significant police presence remained, with officers seen going in and out of the building and carrying out checks around the rear of the flats.
The precise circumstances leading to the discharge remain under investigation.
More to follow.
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