Crime

Dyfed-Powys among safest areas in UK for gun crime

Published

10 months ago

August 27, 2025

DYFED-POWYS has been named as one of the safest police force areas in the UK for firearm offences, with new figures showing only 20 cases recorded across the region in the past year.

The latest UK Weapon Ownership Report, compiled by security experts Get Licensed, reveals that Dyfed-Powys sits in joint fourth place for the lowest number of firearm offences per capita, alongside Cambridgeshire. Both forces recorded just four offences per 100,000 people between April 2023 and March 2024.

The safest area in the country was Suffolk, with just 11 firearm offences during the same period. By contrast, Cleveland and West Yorkshire topped the table, each recording 26 offences per 100,000 residents.

Pembrokeshire context

The figures will come as reassurance to residents across Pembrokeshire, where concerns about violent crime have risen in recent years. The county, alongside Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys, falls under the Dyfed-Powys Police force area.

With Pembrokeshire’s economy heavily reliant on tourism, safety figures such as these are likely to be welcomed by both local people and visitors alike.

Wider picture

Across England and Wales more than 6,000 firearm offences are recorded annually. The Metropolitan Police registered the highest total, with 1,248 offences, but the capital ranked lower on a per-capita basis due to its large population.

The report also highlights broader trends in gun ownership. While the total number of firearm certificates has dropped over the past decade – from 153,603 in 2014/15 to 145,306 in 2024/25 – per-capita ownership is now at its highest level in years, with more than 1,000 certificates per 100,000 people.

Notably, 66 children under 13 currently hold shotgun licences, and nearly 1,000 teenagers aged 14–17 are licensed to own firearms or shotguns.

Rural forces

North Yorkshire, another rural police force area, has the highest rate of legal firearms certificates, with 6,588 issued last year. By comparison, Dyfed-Powys recorded one of the lowest firearm offence rates, underlining the contrast between rural and urban areas when it comes to gun crime.

The report concludes that while firearm-related crime remains relatively rare outside of major cities, continued monitoring of illegal possession and safe storage of legal weapons will be key to maintaining low levels in counties such as Pembrokeshire.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

20 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

20 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.