Crime

Police told to consider revealing ethnicity of suspects in major cases

Published

10 months ago

August 13, 2025

POLICE forces across the UK, including Dyfed-Powys Police, are being urged to consider releasing the ethnicity and nationality of suspects charged in high-profile cases, in a move aimed at tackling misinformation and increasing public transparency.

The interim guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) follows a series of controversies where police were accused of withholding key details about suspects. The new approach comes into effect immediately and is part of a wider review of how police forces deal with the media.
The changes come after recent incidents — including the case of two men, reported to be Afghan asylum seekers, charged with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old in Warwickshire — led to accusations of a “cover-up” when police declined to release their immigration status.

A Home Office spokesperson said both the public and police “want greater clarity” about when and why details such as nationality and immigration status are released, and stressed there may still be legitimate reasons to withhold information in some cases.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the move as a “step forward” and said the government wanted “greater transparency” in cases where public safety is at risk from false speculation.

The NPCC said the decision to release such details would remain at the discretion of each police force, and must take into account legal and ethical considerations, including the risk of prejudicing a trial.

Police point to the example of Merseyside Police, who in May last year quickly confirmed that a man arrested after a car ploughed into crowds celebrating Liverpool FC’s title win was white and British. That announcement was made to quash online rumours of a terror attack.

By contrast, when police withheld the ethnicity of Southport triple murderer Axel Rudakubana, false rumours spread rapidly online, which authorities say contributed to rioting in parts of England and Northern Ireland in the summer of 2024.

Impact on Welsh policing

While the guidance applies nationally, it will affect how Dyfed-Powys Police handle high-profile investigations in Pembrokeshire and the wider force area. In recent years, several serious cases here have generated significant public discussion online, with social media posts sometimes spreading unverified or false information within hours of an arrest.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya, NPCC lead for communications, said: “We have to make sure our processes are fit for purpose in an age of social media speculation and where information can travel incredibly quickly.”

Some former senior officers have warned the move could lead to an expectation that ethnicity and nationality will always be released, with the risk of inflaming tensions in some communities.

Ex-Met Police Chief Supt Dal Babu said police could find themselves “damned if they do, damned if they don’t” when deciding what to disclose.

The government has also asked the Law Commission to examine how more details can be released without jeopardising criminal trials.

For now, police forces, including those serving Pembrokeshire, will have to weigh the public’s right to know against the risk of sparking unrest — knowing that the speed and reach of online speculation mean any decision will be scrutinised immediately.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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.