Crime

Police block Brechfa rave as hundreds descend on remote woodland

Published

12 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

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

10 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

11 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.