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Crime

£200m cash boost for Policing in Wales announced by UK Government

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More officers on streets as government doubles funding

WALES is set to see a surge in neighbourhood policing as the government doubles its funding to £200 million, aiming to restore a visible police presence in local communities.

The investment, which builds on December’s initial £100 million pledge, is intended to reverse years of declining police numbers on the streets. Each of Wales’s four police forces will receive a significant funding boost:

  • Dyfed-Powys Police: Up to £160.4m – a 5.9% increase
  • Gwent Police: Up to £193.3m – a 5.8% increase
  • North Wales Police: Up to £223.0m – a 6.1% increase
  • South Wales Police: Up to £434.3m – a 6.2% increase

More boots on the ground

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the funding as a “turning point” for policing, stating: “By doubling extra neighbourhood funding to £200m, we are giving forces across the country what they need to put more officers and PCSOs where they’re needed most – on our streets and in our town centres.”

She added that dedicated officers who understand their local areas will help tackle crime before it escalates, with new powers being introduced to further support policing efforts.

The investment is part of the Safer Streets initiative, which will see 13,000 additional officers, PCSOs, and special constables deployed in communities across the country. While the full impact will take time, this first year of funding signals the government’s commitment to making it a priority.

North Wales leads the way

The success of #RenewRhyl, a policing initiative in North Wales, has been highlighted as an example of what dedicated local policing can achieve. The scheme has led to a 14% drop in recorded crime, showing how increased police visibility can make a real difference.

Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, welcomed the extra funding, saying: “Neighbourhood policing is at the heart of my plan for fighting crime in North Wales. Initiatives like #RenewRhyl show that when local people are put at the heart of policing, we see real results.”

Chief Superintendent Owain Llewellyn echoed these sentiments, saying: “We have been clear throughout that this is for the community and involving the community. We have had fantastic support and buy-in from local people who have worked with us to identify the priorities for their areas.”

A long-term commitment

With more funding expected in this autumn’s spending review, the government says this is just the beginning of a wider push to strengthen policing. Plans include giving officers new powers through the Crime and Policing Bill, such as Respect Orders to tackle anti-social behaviour in town centres.

Every neighbourhood will also have a named, contactable officer, ensuring that communities know who to turn to for local policing issues.

With more officers, stronger powers, and local priorities shaping the approach, the government says it is backing the police to deliver the safer streets people deserve.

 

Crime

Police praise teacher’s ‘exceptional courage’ following Milford school stabbing verdict

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Detectives say it was “pure good fortune” the victim did not suffer even more serious injuries during the classroom attack

POLICE have praised the bravery of a teacher who was attacked with a knife at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, saying the emotional impact of the incident “cannot be underestimated”.

A 16-year-old boy was convicted at Swansea Crown Court of wounding with intent and unlawful wounding following the attack on Thursday, February 5.

The jury cleared him of attempted murder. He had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a knife.

The teenager, who cannot be identified because of his age, was 15 when the incident took place.

At approximately 3.20pm, he approached the teacher and asked for assistance with schoolwork before following her into a classroom.

He then attacked her while armed with a knife.

The teacher managed to disarm the pupil despite sustaining injuries which required hospital treatment. She later recovered from her physical injuries.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers and other emergency services swiftly attended the school, where pupils and staff were safeguarded and a lockdown was put in place.

The teenager was traced and arrested shortly afterwards. He was charged on February 7 and remanded in custody ahead of his trial.

Following the verdicts, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Sarah Totterdale commended the victim for attending court and giving evidence about the attack.

She said: “Firstly, I would like to commend the bravery shown by the victim in this case.

“What happened to her on February 5 must have been a truly terrifying ordeal, so to have to attend court and relive that experience has taken exceptional courage.

“It is thanks to pure good fortune that she did not sustain even worse injuries, but the emotional impact cannot be underestimated.

“We would like to thank her for her assistance throughout this investigation.”

DI Totterdale said the incident had also deeply affected pupils, teachers and the wider Milford Haven community.

She added: “This incident understandably had a profound impact on other students and teachers at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, as well as the wider community.

“Fortunately, we were able to promptly attend the school, ensure the safeguarding of pupils and teachers, and apprehend the offender.”

She also thanked the emergency services, school staff, parents, pupils, Pembrokeshire County Council and members of the community for their support and patience during the investigation and subsequent court proceedings.

DI Totterdale said: “I hope that, with the trial now concluded, the victim in this case can begin to obtain some closure from this incident, and that Milford Haven Comprehensive School can continue passionately teaching, learning and thriving together in a safe environment.”

The teenager will return to Swansea Crown Court to be sentenced on Thursday, September 3.

 

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Crime

Public appeal after man arrested over laptops taken for repair and not returned

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Trading Standards takes lead in investigation into alleged fraud and theft in Milford Haven and Haverfordwest

A MAN has been arrested as part of an investigation into allegations that laptops and other electronic devices were taken for repair but not returned to their owners.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers had received reports of alleged fraudulent activity and theft in the Milford Haven and Haverfordwest areas between September 2025 and April 2026.

A man in his 30s from the Milford Haven area was arrested in connection with the incidents and has since been released on conditional bail.

Trading Standards has now taken primacy of the investigation, with Dyfed-Powys Police continuing to assist.

The police statement was issued in response to questions from The Herald concerning complaints linked to Computer Solutions Wales.

Police did not name the business in their statement and have not confirmed that every complaint involving Computer Solutions Wales forms part of the current investigation.

However, The Herald has previously been contacted by a number of people who said they handed laptops, computers or other electronic equipment to the business for repair but were subsequently unable to recover their property or obtain refunds.

Some customers claimed they had spent months attempting to secure the return of their devices, while others said they had previously reported their experiences to the police or Trading Standards.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police are investigating a series of alleged fraudulent activity and theft in the Milford Haven and Haverfordwest areas.

“Reports included electronic devices, such as laptops, being taken for repair and not returned between September 2025 and April 2026.

“A man in his 30s, from the Milford Haven area, was arrested in relation to these incidents and released on conditional bail.

“Trading Standards have taken primacy of the investigation and officers will continue to assist them.”

Anyone who dealt with Computer Solutions Wales, or another computer repair operation in the Milford Haven or Haverfordwest areas, and believes a device was taken but not returned during the relevant period is being urged to make a report.

People with information that could assist the investigation are also being asked to come forward.

Reports should be made to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service.

The service can be contacted online at:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/information/contact-the-consumer-service

Alternatively, the Citizens Advice consumer helpline can be contacted on 0808 223 1133.

Anyone making a report should provide as much supporting evidence as possible, including receipts, invoices, bank transfers, emails, text messages, photographs, details of the equipment concerned and any previous police or Trading Standards reference numbers.

The arrested man has not been charged, and the allegations have not been tested before a court.

 

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Crime

Mynachlog-ddu man handed suspended sentence for assaulting child

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Magistrates said Edward Roxborough lost his temper during an unprovoked attack on a vulnerable youngster

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting assaulting a child in Narberth.

Edward Roxborough, aged 32, of Mynachlog-ddu, near Clunderwen, appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to assault by beating.

The court heard that the offence took place last year and involved what magistrates described as an “unprovoked attack of a serious nature”.

Magistrates said Roxborough had reacted angrily and lost his temper against a defenceless and vulnerable child, who cried out in pain following the assault.

The offence was considered serious enough to cross the custody threshold.

Roxborough was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.

The court said the sentence had been suspended in light of recent legislative changes and the presumption in favour of suspending short custodial terms.

He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and up to 20 rehabilitation activity days.

Roxborough must pay £400 in prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £154.

A collection order was made, with the full amount due by August 27.

No compensation order was imposed, with magistrates noting that compensation could be pursued through other channels.

The prosecution was conducted by Adam Burcher, while Chris Evans represented Roxborough.

Reporting restrictions were imposed under Section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, preventing the child from being identified.

 

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