Crime

New rural crime strategy launched to protect Wales’ countryside

Published

5 months ago

July 10, 2025

Heritage crime becomes key priority as police forces and government strengthen joint efforts

WALES’ countryside, wildlife and rural communities are set to benefit from strengthened protections under a new three-year strategy launched today (Tuesday, July 9) at the Wales Wildlife & Rural Crime Conference.

The Wales Rural Crime Strategy 2025–2028 builds on the success of the previous joint initiative between Welsh police forces and the Welsh Government, which has helped coordinate efforts to tackle crimes affecting farms, animals, habitats, and rural residents. The updated strategy adopts a comprehensive ‘4P’ approach: prepare, prevent, pursue and protect.

Almost 100 delegates from across law enforcement, government, and conservation sectors gathered at the Welsh Government buildings in Cardiff for the event, chaired by Deputy Chief Constable Nigel Harrison of North Wales Police.

One of the major developments in the new strategy is the elevation of heritage crime as a full priority area, reflecting growing concerns about damage to historic sites and cultural assets across Wales.

Gwent Police also announced at the conference that it will expand its Rural Crime Team to boost enforcement and support for communities across the region.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Jason White, Head of Neighbourhood Policing in Gwent, said:
“Crime in rural areas can have a profound impact on victims and communities. Our Rural Crime Team works closely with partners, landowners, and local groups to address concerns and provide targeted support.
We’re increasing resources this year to help tackle the types of crime that harm livelihoods, isolate individuals, and damage trust.”

The new strategy retains six priority areas, now including:

Bird Crime
Farm Crime
Habitats
Heritage Crime
Mammals and European Protected Species
Networking Rural Support Services

The latter uniquely recognises the need to address mental health and wellbeing in isolated rural areas.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said:
“Wildlife and rural crime are issues of national and international concern. These are not only crimes against nature and people, but also often linked to wider harmful behaviours, including serious organised crime.
Our partnership approach—between government, police, and both statutory and non-governmental partners—is essential. Without that collaboration, much of this work simply couldn’t happen.”

Rob Taylor QPM, the Wales Wildlife and Rural Crime Coordinator, added:
“Our goal is to support those who live and work in rural Wales, protecting world-class farming, rich historical sites, and wildlife habitats.
Strategic collaboration is at the heart of everything we do, and I’m proud that this updated strategy sets out a clear path forward.”

NFU Mutual recently reported that rural crime claims in Wales rose from £2.4 million in 2023 to £2.8 million in 2024. However, overall rural crime rates remain lower in Wales than in many parts of England.

Shadow Rural Affairs Minister Samuel Kurtz MS said: “This announcement will ring hollow with Welsh rural communities, who have seen rural crime statistics increase here in Wales, while Scotland and England have seen a decrease.

“I’ve raised repeatedly the threat of quad bike theft, livestock worrying, fly grazing and rural crime more broadly in the Senedd, and while I welcome the strategy, there is much more to be done.

“The Welsh Labour Government’s track record when it comes to supporting rural communities is weak, and I know voters are welcoming the chance to kick them out of office next May.”

The Welsh Government has confirmed funding for the Wales Wildlife and Rural Crime Coordinator role will continue for another three years.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

1 hour ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

2 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

2 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.