Crime

Police announce amnesty for owners of Top Venting Blank Firers

Published

9 months ago

February 1, 2025

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

Haverfordwest man fined for damaging car wing mirror

Published

3 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Court Reporter

Victim later retracted statement, court hears

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been fined after admitting to damaging a car wing mirror belonging to a woman in the town earlier this year.

Luke Owen, 33, of Wayside Close, Simpson Cross, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Nov 12), where he pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

The court heard that on May 7, 2025, Owen damaged the wing mirror of a black Peugeot 2008.

Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said the damage was minor, and a victim personal statement was not presented to the court as the complainant had since retracted it.

Owen, represented by Mike Kelleher of Welch & Co Solicitors, was fined £40.

He was also ordered to pay £20 in compensation, £85 in prosecution costs, and a £16 victim surcharge.

Magistrates allowed the fine to be deducted from Owen’s benefits.

Crime

Whitland woman’s no-insurance charge discontinued

Published

3 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Court Reporter

A WHITLAND woman accused of aiding another person to drive without insurance has had her case discontinued at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Louise Mary Hook, 52, of Compton House, Llanfallteg, was alleged to have aided and abetted Christopher Rone in using a Fiat Ducato van without insurance on High Street, Narberth, on May 15.

The prosecution claimed that Hook had encouraged or permitted Rone to drive the vehicle when no valid insurance policy was in force.

However, when the case came before magistrates on Tuesday (Nov 12), the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that the matter had been discontinued and no further action would be taken.

Crime

Milford Haven man fined for abusive behaviour on Mount Estate

Published

3 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been given a year-long community order and banned from contacting his former partner after admitting to a week-long campaign of harassment.

Liam Whatling, 30, of Belfrey Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Nov 12) charged with harassment without violence, contrary to Section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Between August 5 and August 12 this year, Whatling bombarded a female with numerous messages and attended her address on one occasion.

He pleaded guilty at the first hearing, with the court taking his early plea into account during sentencing.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order requiring Whatling to complete up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

A restraining order lasting until November 11, 2026, was also imposed. Under its terms, Whatling must not contact the woman directly or indirectly, except through a solicitor or social services representative when seeking access to his child. He is also prohibited from entering within 100 metres of any address where she lives or posting any content online referring to her.

The case was prosecuted by Sian Vaughan for CPS Wales (South West), with Mike Kelleher representing the defence.