News

Milford Haven church that was once pigsty could get facelift

Published

1 year ago

February 7, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A scheme for works at one of a Pembrokeshire town’s surviving medieval churches by its neighbouring owner has been submitted to county planners.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council, Stefan Smart seeks permission for a change of use of the disused Grade-II-listed St Thomas A Becket Chapel, The Rath, Milford Haven to provide an ancillary use for an adjacent dwelling.

It includes the installation of suspended floor over original flagstone flooring to preserve and protect it, a drainage connection for the provision of a toilet, and the addition of a first floor to be bolted to the existing stone walls.

A supporting statement by agent Heath Coombe Architecture details the history of The Church of St Thomas A, originally built in 1180 and dedicated to St Thomas Becket, which was also utilised as a Beacon Chapel or lighthouse to sailors.

It says the chapel was closely linked to the nearby Pill Priory, and fell into ruin by the 17th century, and was occupied by parliamentarian forces in 1644.

By the 20th century it had fallen to use as a pigsty and stable, before £1,000 was raised in 1930 for its restoration, completed in 1938 when it was reinstated as an Anglican chapel of ease.

In 2012 the property, set back behind The Rath, was privately purchased, with the owner continuing to maintain the building, to ensure its continued survival, the statement says.

It adds: “The Church of St Thomas Becket remains medieval in style, and is the last of the three medieval churches to have survived in Milford Haven. It retains the original rubble two stone external finishes which have been renovated to match the original style over when fallen into disrepair. This character single storey building is an excellent example of a stone built medieval Chapel within the locality.”

It finishes: “The proposal has been subject to consultation to ensure it not only meets the owner’s future needs but also, by involving the local authority conservation officer through the design process, the proposal should not detract from the listed building status. The proposed scheme requires little alteration to the existing building.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

1 hour 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

2 hours 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.