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Crime

Police announce amnesty for owners of Top Venting Blank Firers

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DYFED-POWYS POLICE is joining forces across the UK in holding a four-week firearms amnesty for Turkish manufactured top-venting blank firers (TVBFs) branded as BLOW, CEONIC ISS, EKOL and RETAY, which are now illegal to possess following testing by the National Crime Agency.

While gun crime in the UK remains lowest in the world, following the concerns raised over these four specific types of TVBFs and their ability to be converted into firearms with the ability to fire live ammunition, The National Police Chiefs’ Council Criminal Use of Firearms Lead, has agreed with Chief Constables that an amnesty will run from Monday 3 February to Friday 28 February 2025, enabling you to safely dispose of your firearm.

Following the amnesty, anyone in possession of any of the four types of Turkish top-venting blank firer (TVBF) could be subject to prosecution and up to 10 years imprisonment. 

Inspector Fencott-Price of Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Whilst people will have purchased these believing they were legal for their intended use, it is important you are aware of the changes in the law rendering them a prohibited firearm.

We understand that people will have purchased these legally, however they are now no longer to be kept in your possession and we encourage you to take part in this four-week amnesty.

In their legal state, they are designed to discharge only blank cartridges, and are sold with 50 per cent of their visible surface painted in bright colours to help them stand our as non-viable firearms.

Unfortunately, though, they are appealing to criminals and offenders who convert them, changing them from their legal state and since 2021, UK law enforcement, have recovered more than 800 of the guns in criminal circumstances.

We want as many Turkish Top-Venting Blank Firers (TVBF) as possible to be handed in. Individuals or organisations surrendering the firearm during the amnesty period will not be prosecuted for the possession of a prohibited weapon and if you wish you can do so anonymously.

“We encourage anyone who may own the TBVFs to take part in this national amnesty, and hand them in to one of our chosen police stations below before 28 February 2025, to help stop them getting into the wrong hands in the future.”

Our chosen locations for the amnesty are:

Carmarthenshire: Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli Police Stations

Pembrokeshire: Haverfordwest Police Station

Ceredigion: Aberystwyth and Cardigan Police Stations

Powys: Brecon, Llandrindod Wells and Newtown Police Stations

You can visit the stations between the hours of 8am-4pm Monday to Friday. Those who wish to take part in the amnesty are reminded to transport them responsibly.

If you can not travel to one of the locations during the amnesty, you can call us on 101, where we can discuss this with you to ensure you can take part.

If you are ever in doubt, we urge you to make contact with us.

 

Crime

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

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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.

 

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Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

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FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.

 

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Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

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Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.

 

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