Crime
Only 3% of sexual offences reported to Dyfed-Powys Police result in a charge
MORE than 1,600 rape and sexual offences have been reported to Dyfed-Powys Police in the last year, but just three per cent resulted in a charge or summons.
New data obtained by Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice (SACA) has revealed that between September 2023 and 2024, a total of 1,686 offences were reported to the force but just 47 resulted in a charge or summons.
Sexual Abuse Claims Specialist, Ellie Lamey says it is “staggeringly low” and “it is important victims know that support is available.”
In the last year, there were 1,141 sexual offences reported to Dyfed-Powys Police as well as further 545 rapes.
Of those, just 47 resulted in a charge with 552 offences still under investigation.
According to the force, the majority of rape and sexual offence victims and alleged perpetrators were between the ages of 0-17.
Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice also obtained new data from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) – which is a government-backed organisation that can offer compensation to victims of sexual abuse.
In the last year, the CICA received 13,313 applications from alleged victims of sexual assault or abuse.
Of those, 1,763 received compensation – that’s just 13 per cent.
CICA Specialist at SACA, Ellie Lamey said: “The number of sexual assault/abuse victims who have applied for CIC is staggeringly low compared to the number of offences being reported to police forces across the UK.”
This, along with mammoth delays in the court system and the early release of prisoners is, of course, hugely concerning for victims.
SACA’s investigation revealed the main reasons why victims are rejected by the CICA. They include: the incident was not a ‘crime of violence’, the application was made outside the relevant time limit, failure to co-operate with bringing the assailant to justice and failure to co-operate with the CICA.
In the last year, the organisation paid out compensation totalling £18,463,509.85 to victims of sexual abuse.
Specialist Ellie Lamey added: “It is so important that victims know there is support available for them and not to be deterred or fearful of rejection.
“Victims should be aware that they can report historical periods of abuse/assaults to the police, regardless of the amount of time that has passed.
“Victims can avoid rejections by ensuring they fully cooperate with the police in bringing the assailant to justice as well as seeking appropriate medical attention regarding any physical or psychological injuries sustained from the assault they are a victim of.
“CICA data from 2020-2022 shows that 18 per cent of applications are submitted outside of the two-year time limit, and of these 61 per cent went on to receive an award.
“With relevant evidence, we can provide exceptional circumstances that have contributed to the delay in a victim submitting an application.”
Dyfed-Powys Police responded to the data saying that it had the second highest conviction rate for rape offences in England and Wales at 72.7% in the year to date.
However, the force said it recognises that there is still a lot more to do to ensure that all victims-survivors get the justice they deserve.
The force joined Operation Sorteria Bluestone in 2022, the aim of which was to transform the policing response to rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO).
A spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting victims-survivors of rape and sexual assault and all detectives are fully trained in the College of Policing Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Investigative Skills Development Programme (RISDP).
“We’ve revolutionised our response to rape victims-survivors by providing an option of speaking to an officer via video call utilising specialist software. This has enabled victims-survivors to have access to specialist support in an environment which is comfortable for them.
“Rape and sexual offences investigations can be complex and due to their very nature can take longer than 12 months to investigate thoroughly.
“The Government’s review also acknowledged that not all victims-survivors who report incidents to the police want to proceed with a criminal justice outcome.
“As such, measuring charge rates within a 12-month period against the volume of crime reported can be sometimes misleading.”
The police spokesperson added: “We would urge anyone who has been a victim-survivor of a sexual offence to please come forward and get the support they rightly deserve.
“Whether a victim-survivor chooses to involve the police or not, support is available to everyone. New Pathways is the largest sexual violence support provider in Wales, with extensive experience of delivering specialist support to adults and children affected by the trauma of rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse.
“We would also encourage victims-survivors of sexual assault to seek help through sexual assault referral centres (SARCs). SARCs provide a safe space and dedicated care for people who have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused, and are here for everyone.”
- Visit New Pathways on www.newpathways.org.uk, or to find a SARC go to collaborative.nhs.wales/SARCs
- For details of support services and how to report a sexual offence, including non-recent incidents, visit https://bit.ly/reportsexualoffences
- If you have been a victim of a crime, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police, either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.
- Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice (SACA) also offers a specialist service for anyone looking for support and advice after being affected by rape or sexual assault.
They operate a 24-hour helpline and live chat service which you can access on their website.
Sentencing of Nerys Lloyd continues at Swansea Crown Court
A FORMER police officer who led a group paddleboarding trip that ended in tragedy has been heavily criticised by victims’ families during sentencing proceedings at Swansea Crown Court.
Nerys Lloyd, 39, admitted four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and a breach of health and safety laws, following the deaths of four people on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest in October 2021.
The trip, which had been advertised online at £149 per person including accommodation and supervision, ended in disaster when the group were swept over a weir during dangerous river conditions.
The victims were Morgan Rogers, 24, Nicola Wheatley, 40, Andrea Powell, 41, and Lloyd’s co-instructor, Paul O’Dwyer, 42. All were described as beginner or intermediate paddleboarders, with little knowledge of the hazard ahead.
The court heard the river was in flood at the time, with a strong current and a dangerous drop of around 1.3 metres over the weir, except for a narrow fish ramp just wider than a paddleboard.
Prosecutor Mark Watson KC said Lloyd had only a basic instructor qualification, which was not appropriate for guiding a group on a river in such conditions. He told the court nearly two tonnes of water per second was flowing over a one metre-wide section of the weir at the time.
Lloyd was the only member of the group who successfully navigated the fish ramp. The others were swept over the weir and thrown into the fast-moving water.
Families of the victims have condemned Lloyd’s decision to lead the group out in such conditions, calling her actions reckless and accusing her of showing no remorse.
Andrea Powell’s husband, Mark, said his wife would have experienced “sheer panic” and described Lloyd’s failings as “monumental,” labelling her arrogant and careless.
Teresa Hall, mother of Morgan Rogers, told the court: “You guided Morgan to her death,” and described the agony of imagining her daughter struggling to breathe.
Survivor Gemma Cox gave a harrowing account of trying to rescue fellow paddleboarders, saying she had no idea what a weir was and would never have joined the trip had she known.
Another survivor, Melody Johns, called for better safety awareness and regulation, warning that many boards are sold without quick-release leashes that could save lives. A third survivor, Jemma Dugdale, urged organisations including Paddle UK, Paddle Cymru, Sport Wales and Sport England to take action to prevent similar tragedies.
The court also heard that Lloyd was suspended from South Wales Police at the time of the incident, following a caution for an unrelated fraudulent insurance claim. She had not carried out risk assessments or collected next-of-kin information before the trip, causing delays in informing families after the incident.
Following the deaths, Lloyd reportedly said: “It’s my fault 100% … I just turned around and they all fell over.”
The sentencing hearing is due to conclude on Wednesday (Apr 23).
A TEMPLETON woman has admitted making repeated nuisance calls to emergency services and assaulting a police officer.
Ann Gatley, aged 78, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with two offences following incidents earlier this month.
The court heard that between April 7 and April 9, Gatley persistently misused the public communications network with the intention of causing annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety.
She was also charged with assaulting a female police officer in the Narberth area on April 9.
Gatley pleaded guilty to both offences when she appeared in court on Thursday (Apr 11).
Magistrates adjourned sentencing to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Gatley is due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on May 6.
She was granted bail until that date, with a condition that she must not contact emergency services unless in a genuine emergency.
A MILFORD HAVEN man is set to stand trial accused of carrying a pocket knife with a blade exceeding the legal limit.
Lee Lock, 37, is alleged to have had the knife hidden beneath a car seat while driving through Honeyborough Industrial Estate, Neyland, on June 5, 2024.
The Crown Prosecution Service claims the blade measured 7.62 centimetres in length—over the 7 cm threshold permitted by law.
Lock appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week via video link from HM Swansea Prison, where he pleaded not guilty to possessing a knife blade in a public place.
His trial has been scheduled for June 9 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
Lock, of Coombs Road, Milford Haven, was remanded in custody due to concerns he may fail to surrender to bail.
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