News

No assisted dying service in Welsh NHS without Senedd approval

Published

9 months ago

June 26, 2025

THE WELSH NHS will only provide assisted dying services if explicitly approved by the Senedd, it has been confirmed.

Last week, MPs in Westminster passed a law legalising assisted dying for terminally ill people in both Wales and England. However, uncertainty remains over how it will be implemented in Wales, given that healthcare is governed by the Senedd, which previously rejected assisted dying proposals last October.

Counsel General Julie James told the Senedd on Wednesday that Welsh members will need to vote on whether public healthcare services can offer assisted dying. Without the Senedd’s approval, assisted dying could technically be legal in Wales but without any state-provided support.

Welsh Conservative MS Tom Giffard emphasised the importance of giving the Senedd a decisive role, stating: “A decision of such gravity must not be imposed on Wales without the explicit consent of its elected representatives.”

Initially, the proposed bill included a veto allowing the Senedd to control the law’s implementation. However, this provision was removed by MPs last week to avoid conflicting with the Government of Wales Act, which prohibits the Senedd from altering laws on suicide.

Despite the removal of the veto, James reassured the Senedd that NHS Wales or any other public body would still require regulations laid by ministers and an affirmative Senedd vote before providing assisted dying services.

The previous Senedd vote in October resulted in the rejection of assisted dying legislation by 26 to 19, with nine abstentions. Health Secretary Jeremy Miles and First Minister Eluned Morgan both opposed the proposal at the time.

The current law passed by Westminster differs from the earlier Senedd proposal by including provisions for people experiencing “intolerable” suffering from incurable physical conditions.

Welsh language concerns were also raised by Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor, who highlighted the absence of guaranteed Welsh-language support for patients. James confirmed that Health Secretary Jeremy Miles has been liaising with MP Kim Leadbeater, who sponsored the bill, to address Welsh-language considerations.

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

47 minutes 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

52 minutes 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.