News
Support for domestic abuse victims using ‘counter terrorism policing approach’

MORE than 100 domestic abuse victims in Carmarthenshire have received additional support thanks to the adoption of a policing approach developed in counter terrorism.
Dyfed-Powys Police has trialled using the ‘four Ps’ method during contact with victims of medium risk graded domestic incidents, resulting in a quarter of victims choosing to benefit from enhanced safeguarding measures.
During the six-month pilot, 455 medium risk domestic abuse incidents were recorded in Carmarthenshire, with each victim offered contact with a Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) officer. With those who accepted, a four Ps approach to engagement following the principles Prepare, Protect, Prevent and Pursue was carried out.
The pilot, which began in Llanelli and was extended to Carmarthen and Ammanford, has been so successful that it is now being rolled out forcewide.
Chief Inspector Steve Thomas said: “The four Ps policing method was developed in counter terrorism, so it might seem unusual to adopt this technique when working with victims of domestic abuse. However, the overall aim is to protect the victim from further harm and pursue the offender, which are both incredibly important elements in policing a crime type where sadly repeat offending is frequent.
“During the pilot, all victims of medium risk domestic-related incidents were given the option of engagement with an NPPT officer, who worked their way through the prepare, protect, prevent and pursue tactics.
“Within six months, 115 victims in just one division were provided with additional safeguarding and support. This means a quarter of the people affected by domestic abuse incidents graded as medium risk during this timeframe were able to be further protected.
“The new approach has had positive feedback from victims, who were grateful for the offer of additional engagement and support, and will be continued across the force.”
NPPT officers engaging with victims, worked through the four Ps as follows:
Prepare: This stage enables officers to work with the victim by assessing the circumstances of the domestic incident and establishing if it is suitable to contact them. If so, contact is made within a set timeframe, with consideration for earlier engagement – for example if a safeguarding kit is needed.
Protect: During the protect phase, officers consider what measures can be put in place to prevent further offending against the victim. The preferred action is for officers to meet with the victim in person to gather evidence.
Prevent: The third phase sees officers consider what measures can be put in place to prevent further offending against the victim. Officers can also put a patrol plan in place, or a plan to carry out bail checks over a number of weeks.
Pursue: The final stage looks at the opportunities to pursue the offender and bring them to justice. This could range from further arrests if additional offences are disclosed by the victim, to civil orders against the offender being progressed.
Chief Inspector Thomas added: “We are encouraged by the results of this pilot, and hope to see the number of victims accepting additional engagement rise as the new way of working is embedded and understood.”
News
A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle

AIR AMBULANCE LANDS AT SCENE AS TRAFFIC DISRUPTED
THE A40 between Wolfscastle and Haverfordwest was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon (Apr 11) following a serious road traffic collision.
The crash, which was first reported at 12:10pm, prompted a significant emergency services response, including Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance, which was seen landing at the scene shortly after the incident.
AA Roadwatch confirmed that the road was shut in both directions, with slow-moving traffic and congestion reported in the surrounding area for several hours after the collision.
Police urged motorists to avoid the area and to seek alternative routes while emergency crews dealt with the incident.
At the time of writing, no official update has been given on the number of vehicles involved or whether there were any injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police have been approached for comment.
Traffic disruption remains ongoing, with live road maps showing long delays approaching Haverfordwest from the east.
More updates will follow as information becomes available.
Crime
Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.
The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”
No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.
Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.
The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Business
Haverfordwest opticians celebrate 100 years of long service

WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a century of long service in 2025.
At the heart of the celebrations is Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, who has worked at the company for 20 years.
Since becoming a partner in 2006, Mr Britton has overseen the store’s transformation from a small site with just four test rooms to a state-of-the-art £1.2 million premises at 21 Riverside Quay. The enhanced store now boasts 14 test rooms equipped with cutting edge technology and a significantly larger team, growing from 11 to 45 employees.
Haverfordwest residents benefit from Mr Britton’s clinical expertise – he holds multiple postgraduate diplomas that allow him to prescribe medication directly to customers, helping to ease pressure on local GP surgeries and hospitals. He has also led the introduction of enhanced services, including glaucoma monitoring, ensuring more people can access specialist care closer to home.
Reflecting on his career, Mr Britton says: ‘It’s been a privilege to serve the Haverfordwest community over the last 20 years. I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the progress we’ve made – all with the aim of delivering the best possible care for our customers.’
Mr Britton’s anniversary was celebrated alongside colleagues Elise Evans, Gareth Riley and Carrie Lewis-Jones – each marking 15 years with Specsavers – as well as other team members celebrating 10 and five-year milestones.
Fellow director, Wayne Jones, was among those celebrating five years with the business, after joining the Haverfordwest store in 2020. He was named a finalist for Optometrist of the Year at the Optometry Wales Awards in 2023 and then in 2024, joined forces with Mr Britton as retail director of the store.
Commenting on the milestone, Mr Jones says: ‘Our team’s experience and dedication are what makes Specsavers Haverfordwest so special. Reaching 100 years of individual long service milestones in 2025 is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a real testament to the commitment of our colleagues, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.’
To mark the occasion, the directors hosted an in-store awards ceremony, presenting certificates and bottles of champagne to the nine long-serving team members celebrating.
Specsavers Haverfordwest is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Haverfordwest, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.
Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.
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