News

Council fine locals over £11,000 for dropping fag butts and litter

Published

1 year ago

November 29, 2024

A TOTAL of 19 individuals have been fined for littering offences after failing to pay fixed penalties and being taken to court by Pembrokeshire County Council.

At Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 28), fines ranged from £123 to £220, with additional victim surcharges and costs bringing the total penalties for each case to as much as £574.66.

Among those prosecuted, Flavius Andrei, aged 35, of Tenby, was fined £220 for discarding a cigarette butt on St Julian Street, Tenby, in April. In a separate case, Lee Cureton, aged 47, from Bristol, was also fined £220 for dropping a cigarette butt on the Esplanade in Tenby.

Further fines were issued to Pembrokeshire residents. Kelly Edwards, 35, of Pembroke Dock, and Darren Ferrier, 38, from Swansea, were fined £220 each for littering on Dimond Street and Gordon Street in Pembroke Dock, respectively.

Other notable cases included Toni Fletcher, 52, from Hereford, whose guilty plea led to a reduced fine of £123 after littering on St George’s Street, Tenby. Similarly, Tom Ryan, 38, from Dinas Cross, received a £133 fine for discarding a cigarette at Haverfordwest Railway Station.

Despite warnings and enforcement efforts, the offenders either failed to appear in court or had their cases proved in absence. The offences primarily involved cigarette butts, but one individual, Sally Owen, 61, from Newcastle, was accused of discarding a soft drink can in Haverfordwest. Her case was withdrawn.

Pembrokeshire County Council continues to crack down on littering to preserve the area’s environment. A spokesperson said: “These prosecutions highlight the importance of keeping our public spaces clean and the consequences for those who disregard the law.”

Fines from these cases totalled over £11,800, including victim surcharges and court costs, demonstrating the financial implications of littering offences.

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

44 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has announced a significant expansion of its Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams (NPPT), with more officers being deployed to frontline roles where demand is greatest.

From Monday (Mar 16), teams across the force area have been strengthened, with a renewed focus on tackling antisocial behaviour and preventing crime at its source.

The force says the move is aimed at reducing repeat demand by addressing the root causes of offending, rather than simply responding to incidents.

To achieve this, a number of officers have been redeployed from central departments back into frontline policing, while new posts are also being created to bolster capacity.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies, head of uniform policing, said: “These changes are about increasing frontline visibility and ensuring we have the right resources in the right places.

“They form part of a wider programme of improvements across the force to enhance effectiveness and efficiency, while also supporting the wellbeing of our officers and staff.

“This is positive news for our communities, who will benefit from stronger neighbourhood teams focused on local priorities and proactive policing.”

The expansion has been made possible through Home Office funding under the Neighbourhood Guarantee scheme, which is designed to strengthen community safety and crime prevention.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been allocated £1.4 million for 2025/26, enabling the recruitment of police staff and freeing up officers previously in support roles to return to operational duties.

As a result, four sergeants and 29 police officers have now been reassigned to neighbourhood teams across the force.

Each NPPT area will also have a named officer, with full team details available via the ‘Your Area’ section of the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

The force has also secured early access to 2026/27 Neighbourhood Guarantee funding, which will see a further 12 officers recruited between April and the autumn—adding to overall officer numbers in the region.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Neighbourhood policing is about more than numbers—it’s about relationships.

“Greater visibility helps build trust, strengthens community ties, and reassures the public that policing is present, responsive, and committed to keeping people safe.

“I remain committed to improving police visibility across our communities, and these additional officers will help turn that ambition into reality.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

49 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.