Crime

Armed Dyfed-Powys Police officers were called to fewer incidents last year.

Published

1 month ago

October 14, 2025

Armed police officers in Dyfed-Powys were deployed to fewer incidents last year, according to new Home Office figures.

The force, which covers Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys, sent armed officers to 161 operations in the year to March 2023 — down from 178 the previous year.

Dyfed-Powys Police has not discharged its firearms in any incident for at least 15 years, despite maintaining a team of specially trained officers.

Across England and Wales, police carried out 18,395 firearms operations during the same period, a slight rise from 18,257 the year before. Of those, police weapons were intentionally fired on just 10 occasions — six more than the previous year.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the force attended far more incidents involving armed officers, recording 264 operations in the year to March 2020. Crime levels and firearms callouts dropped significantly during and immediately after lockdown.

The number of Dyfed-Powys officers authorised to use firearms rose slightly last year, from 60 in 2022 to 64. Nationally, the total number of armed officers fell marginally from 6,677 to 6,651.

Chief Constable Simon Chesterman, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for armed policing, praised the restraint and professionalism of firearms officers.

“A mark of the quality of training that armed officers receive is how infrequently they have to use their weapons,” he said.

“It is a testament to their professionalism that only 0.05 per cent of armed deployments end with a firearm being discharged.”

A Home Office spokesperson said that the use of firearms by police “should always be a last resort” and that deadly force “continues to be used very rarely”.

However, human rights organisation Liberty has called for armed policing to be scaled back.

Emmanuelle Andrews, Liberty’s Policy and Campaigns Manager, said:

“Instead of expanding the use of guns, the Government should invest in what communities really need — youth services, mental health support and action on poverty — to tackle the root causes of crime.”

Crime

Man arrested on suspicion of murder after woman’s body found in Cardigan boatyard

Published

47 minutes ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Victim’s family informed as officers appeal for witnesses who were near the scene from Thursday night

POLICE have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a woman’s body at a boatyard in Cardigan.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to Netpool Boatyard at around 12:35pm on Saturday (Nov 15) after the body of a woman was found.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

The woman’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

There has been an increased police presence in the town since Saturday afternoon, with officers cordoning off the Netpool slipway and nearby access roads. Late on Saturday night, a boat covered in black plastic sheeting was removed from the scene as part of the ongoing forensic investigation.

Detectives are appealing for information from anyone who may have been at, or seen activity around, the boatyard from 9:00pm on Thursday, November 13 onwards.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police via the website https://orlo.uk/olxMg, email [email protected], or call 101, quoting reference 144 of November 15. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Crime

Boat removed from Cardigan scene as police probe young woman’s death

Published

3 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A BOAT covered in black plastic sheeting has been removed from the Netpool area of Cardigan as part of a major police investigation into the death of a young woman.

The vessel was taken away at around 11:30pm on Saturday (Nov 15) under police escort and is understood to form a key part of the ongoing forensic inquiry. Officers had cordoned off the slipway near the River Teifi throughout the day, with multiple police vehicles and scenes-of-crime teams attending.

Emergency services were first called to the location around lunchtime on Saturday (Nov 15) following a 999 call, and a large police response was reported soon afterwards.

A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries. His condition has not been confirmed, and Dyfed-Powys Police have not yet said whether any arrests have been made.

The woman, believed to be in her early twenties, has not yet been formally identified.

Police are expected to remain in the area while specialist officers continue their investigation.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for an official update.

Crime

Police investigate death of young woman in Cardigan

Published

16 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating following the death of a young woman in Cardigan this afternoon (Nov 15).

Officers were called to the Netpool area, near the River Teifi, where the slipway was cordoned off and access restricted while investigations were carried out.

A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries, according to local sources.

Dyfed-Powys Police have not yet formally identified the woman, who is in he early twenties, or confirmed whether anyone has been arrested.

The Herald has contacted the force for an official statement