Crime

Police block Brechfa rave as hundreds descend on remote woodland

Published

9 months ago

June 22, 2025

Officers issue dispersal order after overnight ‘well-organised’ gathering in Carmarthenshire countryside

DYFED-POWYS POLICE have intervened to shut down a large illegal rave after hundreds of people descended on a remote part of the Brechfa Forest area overnight.

The gathering, described as “well underway” when officers arrived late on Saturday night (June 21), involved a significant number of people and vehicles, prompting a swift tactical response from police under Section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. The legislation allows police to prevent more people joining an unauthorised music event and to seize sound equipment where necessary.

A spokesperson said officers made the decision not to immediately disperse the crowd due to the scale and potential safety risks, instead focusing efforts on blocking further access to the site and containing the disruption.

A number of vehicles and attendees remained at the location into Saturday afternoon, but police say the crowd is now dispersing. Officers remain on scene and will continue their presence “until the area returns to normal.”

T/Superintendent Shaun Bowen said the illegal rave had caused “considerable anxiety and distress” to the local community.

He told The Herald: “This type of event causes disruption to those wanting to use the area appropriately, harms the environment and disturbs wildlife, which is why we act swiftly to shut them down.

“There is little doubt that these types of events are very well planned, organised, and that local knowledge is important in drawing down the main group to a particular field or area of land.”

Officers from neighbourhood policing and prevention teams are liaising with residents and partner agencies affected by the gathering, which is believed to have begun under cover of darkness on Friday night and continued into the morning.

One local resident told The Herald: “We could hear the bass thumping in the early hours. It’s not just the noise – it’s the disruption, the mess, and the worry about livestock and damage to the woodland.”

Police have urged anyone considering travelling to the area to think again, warning that they will be turned away on arrival.

T/Supt Bowen added: “We understand the strength of feelings in respect of this – both from those living in the area and from those wanting to attend who are seemingly unaware of the disruption these events cause.

“We ask you not travel to the area with the intention of joining a rave, as officers are there and you will be turned away.”

The Herald understands that investigations into potential criminal offences are ongoing. Officers are examining drone footage, dashcams, and local CCTV to identify organisers and possible offences under public order and environmental laws.

Police have not confirmed whether any arrests have yet been made.

Unwelcome noise: Police say raves like this one in Brechfa cause distress to communities and damage to the environment (Pic: Rave in Brechfa in 2018).

Crime

Carmarthen man denies coercive control allegations

Published

22 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody ahead of further hearing

A CARMARTHEN man has denied allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his partner during a prolonged period of alleged abuse.

Mark Hanson, aged 51, of no fixed abode but previously linked to Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for a further case management hearing on Wednesday (Mar 19).

The court heard that Hanson is accused of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, contrary to Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

It is alleged that between January 1, 2024 and March 12, 2026, at Stackpole, Hanson repeatedly or continuously subjected a female to threats of violence. Prosecutors say the pair were partners at the time, and that the behaviour had a serious effect on the complainant, which Hanson either knew or ought to have known.

Hanson entered a not guilty plea to the charge on March 13.

The court was told that he has been remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, with magistrates citing concerns that he may commit further offences, including causing injury or fear of injury to a person connected to the case.

Additional information presented to the court indicated that Hanson is currently serving a custodial sentence of two months for breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

The case was adjourned for a further case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 23) at 10:00am. The hearing is expected to be conducted via video link and is listed for a duration of 20 minutes.

Magistrates Mr A Allison, Mrs J Morris and Mr D England presided over the hearing. The prosecution was led by Sian Vaughan, with Hanson represented by Alaw Harries of DGJ Solicitors.

Crime

Youth, 15, admits assault on police officer in Milford Haven

Published

42 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A 15-YEAR-OLD has admitted assaulting a police officer during an incident in Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offence took place on Saturday (Mar 1), when the youth assaulted Police Constable 573 Evans.

The defendant appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where a guilty plea to common assault was entered.

The court granted unconditional bail and adjourned the case for sentencing.

The youth is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 2) at 10:00am for sentencing. The hearing is expected to last around 30 minutes.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.

Crime

Youth given conditional discharge after series of offences in Haverfordwest

Published

44 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A YOUTH has been given a conditional discharge after admitting a series of offences in Haverfordwest, including assault, shop theft and interfering with motor vehicles.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offences took place over a number of days in December 2025.

The court was told that on Saturday (Dec 6), the youth assaulted another child by beating them during an incident in the town. On the same date, they also stole two cans of Red Bull worth £5.40 from Tesco.

Further offences were committed on Tuesday (Dec 9), when the youth interfered with multiple vehicles at a vehicle repair workshop at Havens Head Business Park, Milford Haven. The offences involved attempts to interfere with vehicles with the intention of theft.

The youth appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where guilty pleas were entered to all matters.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge for each offence, taking into account the early guilty pleas.

The court also ordered the youth to pay £100 in compensation to the victim of the assault and £5.40 in compensation to Tesco. No order for costs was made due to the financial circumstances involved.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.