Crime

Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel to scrutinise police precept

Published

2 years ago

January 19, 2024

THE POLICING precept for Dyfed Powys residents will be the topic for the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel’s meeting on Friday, 26 January 2024. Panel members will challenge and consider the precept intended by Dafydd Llewellyn, the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Policing in Dyfed Powys will be funded by this precept, which is set by the Commissioner. The current precept proposal, will raise the average band D property precept by £1.62 per month or £19.38 per annum to £332.03, a 6.2% increase. This increase will raise a total precept of £79.364m and will provide a total funding of £143.902m, representing a £8.150m or 6.0% increase from the revised funding for 2023/24.

During the meeting, the Commissioner will inform the Panel on how the budget will meet policing needs. He will also inform the panel of new objectives for the Chief Constable to focus on improved performance and outcomes.

Panel Chair, Professor Ian Roffe, said: “Scrutinising and challenging the need for

Policing is a crucial public service. No one wants to see a rise in their bills though, so we want to hear what the needs are for an increase.

“Scrutinising the needs and reasons for funds is a key facet of work for the Panel. So, a group of experienced members under the guidance of Cllr. Keith Evans has worked to consider in detail the police budget requirement. A decision will be made by all Panel members, representing the length and breadth of Dyfed Powys, at this meeting after hearing the Commissioners plans for the coming year.”

Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel’s meeting at Pembrokeshire County Hall at 10.30am on Friday, 26 January 2024 will be live-streamed. The panel, made up of members nominated by the four county councils in the force area plus two independent members, has the power to approve or veto the proposed police precept. Local policing is funded from a Home Office grant, as well as contributions from the public via the Council Tax, known as the police precept.

Visit www.dppoliceandcrimepanel.wales for more information about the Panel, its membership, forthcoming meeting dates, agendas and webcasting links, as well as submitting questions for the Panel to put to the Commissioner.

Crime

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

Published

4 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN has admitted assaulting a family member and harassing another relative following incidents in the town last year.

Wayne Whatling, 39, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Whatling changed his pleas to guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of harassment without violence.

The assault charge relates to an incident in Milford Haven on September 13, 2025, when Whatling assaulted Ben Whatling by beating him.

He also admitted pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment against Carol Whatling between September 1 and September 13, 2025.

The court heard the harassment allegation involved repeatedly asking Carol Whatling for money, with the complainant said to have feared repercussions if she did not provide it.

Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Whatling was remanded on conditional bail and ordered not to contact Carol or Ben Whatling directly or indirectly.

He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 9).

Crime

Milford Haven man admits affray after alleged pub incident

Published

4 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted affray following an incident at a town centre pub.

Stephen Collier, 38, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Collier has pleaded guilty to affray, relating to an incident at Nos Da, Victoria Road, Milford Haven, on December 3, 2025.

The charge states that he used unlawful violence towards John Dean Hilton and that his conduct was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety.

Collier also faces a separate charge of burglary dwelling with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that, on the same date, he entered a flat at Nos Da as a trespasser and inflicted grievous bodily harm on Mr Hilton. He denies that charge.

The court also dealt with a breach of bail allegation after Collier was arrested on May 20 for allegedly breaching a curfew condition. He admitted the breach.

Magistrates re-admitted him to conditional bail.

His bail conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 9:00pm and 6:00am, residence at his Vaynor Road address, and exclusions from Mount Estate, Milford Haven town centre, and Nos Da.

He must also not contact prosecution witnesses, including Molly Martin, Jack Martin, Lily Rose Martin and John Hilton.

Collier is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, June 5, for sentence.

A spokesperson for Nos Da said the incident was connected with rooms upstairs at the Victoria Road premises, and did not take place in the bar itself, in the licensed area.