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Crime

Fewer than half of victims believe they can get justice, says Victims’ Commissioner

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FEWER than half of victims believe they can get justice, according to a major new survey published by the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove.

The 2025 Victims Survey, based on responses from more than 6,500 victims – the largest ever conducted by the Commissioner – exposes a serious lack of confidence in the system, with only 42% believing they can obtain justice, 46% confident in its effectiveness, and 51% in its fairness.

Victims denied a voice

Many victims report being denied a voice at critical stages of the process. Some were refused the right to read their Victim Personal Statement (VPS) in court, and only 14% knew they had the right to challenge a decision to drop their case.

One victim of domestic abuse, a woman aged 55–64, said: “I was never allowed to speak in court as a victim… never allowed any voice… never allowed to read my three different VPS during three cases, nine hearings in all and two sentence hearings.”

Victims frequently described feeling isolated, unheard, and treated as a statistic rather than a person.

Confidence gaps across groups

Confidence in the justice system varies widely across groups. Only a third of LGBTQ+ victims were confident they could receive justice by reporting a crime, while fewer than half of disabled victims and female victims believed the system was fair.

The report also reveals troubling patterns in reporting rates. Forty-one per cent of rape and sexual assault victims did not report the incident, and 36% of hate crime victims did not report. Nearly a third of Asian and Black victims (32%) chose not to report, compared to 21% of white victims. Among young people aged 16–24, the non-reporting rate was 38%, nearly double that of older victims.

One young victim of sexual assault said: “I feel like race and sex is always a factor when you report a crime or are seeking justice. You won’t always be treated fairly.”

Poor communication and delays

Victims cited poor communication and delays as major reasons for losing faith in the justice process. Some reported cases collapsing after statutory time limits expired, while others faced years of waiting for trials.

A victim of assault, aged 35–44, said: “The CPS unnecessary delays meant the perpetrator was unable to be charged because they let six months go past through no fault of my own.”

Another rape survivor described the toll of the long wait: “Too stressful, took too long. It ruined my life and I thought I’d lose my family if I carried on with the case.”

Police under pressure

While fewer than half of victims said their case was investigated thoroughly (43%) or that they were kept informed (40%), many recognised the resource challenges facing officers.

“It was obvious that the police were trying their best but were short staffed,” said one male assault victim, 55–64.

Overall, 68% of victims said they would still report a crime again, though this figure dropped sharply among rape and sexual assault survivors.

The report highlights the value of specialist police training, such as that delivered under Operation Soteria, in improving trust. “They appeared to be well trained… professional and compassionate, yet unbiased,” said a female victim, 45–54.

Need for clearer communication

More than two-thirds of victims praised the support they received from court staff and volunteers, but many still said they were left uninformed about the outcome of their case. One in five said the conviction or sentence was not properly explained to them – a finding that comes ahead of the UK Government’s forthcoming Sentencing Bill.

Baroness Newlove said: “These voices matter. They are telling us not only what is working, but crucially where the system is failing victims – the very people it is meant to protect. One of the most striking and worrying findings is the lack of confidence in the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal justice system. If victims lose faith, they may stop coming forward – and justice cannot be delivered if victims are silent. All victims deserve to be treated with decency and respect. That means good communication, tailored support, and a clear understanding of their rights. This report sends a very clear message that we have a great deal of work to do to rebuild victim confidence in the system.”

The full report, including over 150 victim testimonies, is available to download from the Victims’ Commissioner’s website.

 

Crime

Two arrested after high-value shoplifting incident in Kilgetty

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TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting following a rapid police response to a reported high-value theft at a supermarket in Kilgetty.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the Co-op store at around 3.35pm on Wednesday (Jan 28), after a report that a large quantity of alcohol and other items had been stolen.

Using information provided by the caller, Roads Policing Unit officers worked closely with control room staff to identify a vehicle believed to be involved. Several patrol cars were deployed, and the vehicle was located a short time later travelling east.

Police said the safety of all those involved was treated as a priority, with specialist Tactical Pursuit and Containment (TPAC) advice obtained while officers maintained constant observation of the vehicle.

The car was brought to a safe stop on a back road approaching Hendy, involving three Roads Policing Unit vehicles. No injuries or damage were reported.

Following roadside checks, two men — aged 67 and 46 — were arrested on suspicion of theft from a shop.

Both remain in police custody while enquiries continue.

Police said the swift response helped prevent further offending and demonstrated the effectiveness of specialist roads policing officers acting on real-time intelligence.

 

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Business

Eight-year prison sentence after vehicle stop uncovers drugs worth over £150,000

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A ROUTINE vehicle stop by roads policing officers has led to an eight-year prison sentence after more than £150,000 worth of illegal drugs were discovered in a car in Pembrokeshire.

On Friday, January 2, officers from the Roads Policing Unit stopped a grey Seat Ateca on Hoyland Road, Pembroke. The vehicle was being driven by 43-year-old Dean Evans.

During the stop, Evans told officers they would find “stuff” in the car. He and the vehicle were subsequently searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A search of the boot uncovered a cardboard box containing a one-kilogram block of cocaine and ten half-kilogram packages of herbal cannabis. The street value of the drugs was estimated to be well in excess of £150,000.

Evans was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs. He was later charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs.

The 43-year-old pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, January 3.

On Thursday, January 28, Evans was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to eight years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

DC Jones, from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “Tackling the supply of illegal drugs is a priority for Dyfed-Powys Police, and the misery that illegal drugs bring to local communities will not be tolerated.

“We welcome the sentence passed to Dean Evans, given the large quantity of harmful drugs he was caught trafficking into Pembrokeshire.

“This sentence should serve as a stark warning to anyone tempted to become involved in the illegal drugs trade in Dyfed and Powys.”

 

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Crime

Former soldier jailed for stalking police officer over past arrest

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Defendant tracked down officer’s home address and sent threatening messages

A FORMER serviceman has been sent to prison after tracking down and harassing a police officer who had arrested him two years earlier.

Gareth Nicholas, aged 41, from Waunarlwydd in Swansea, targeted the officer by discovering his home address and sending a threatening message via Facebook, Swansea Crown Court heard.

The officer had been part of a police team that executed a Scottish arrest warrant at Nicholas’s home in May 2023. Two years later, in August 2025, the officer received an unexpected friend request on social media, followed shortly afterwards by a message that immediately caused concern.

The message began with the words “I found you” and accused the officer of unlawfully entering Nicholas’s property, assaulting him while he was in his underwear, and “abducting” him. Nicholas also claimed he had identified a pattern of corrupt behaviour within the police and issued a veiled threat, stating: “I will catch you down the Liberty son. Look forward to it,” a reference to Swansea City’s former stadium.

The situation escalated further days later when a handwritten letter was delivered to the officer’s former address. The new occupant contacted the officer to alert him to the letter, which repeated allegations of corruption and suggested the matter could be dropped if the officer assisted in exposing alleged police misconduct.

Nicholas was arrested on September 3 and admitted sending the communications, but denied at the time that his actions amounted to stalking.

In evidence, the officer told the court that while he had faced verbal abuse during his policing career, this incident felt different and deeply personal. He said his family installed CCTV cameras, security lighting and fencing, and put safety plans in place for their children. He added that he feared Nicholas had not let go of his perceived injustice and remained concerned the behaviour could continue.

The court heard Nicholas has a substantial criminal record in Scotland between 2019 and 2024, including convictions for stalking, malicious communications, threatening behaviour, domestic abuse offences and possession of ammunition without a licence.

Sentencing Nicholas, Judge Huw Rees acknowledged the trauma the defendant had experienced during military service, but warned him not to repeat the behaviour.

Nicholas, who appeared unrepresented, pleaded guilty to stalking and was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, reduced by 20 per cent for his early guilty plea. Having already served time on remand, his release is expected shortly. He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order banning any contact with the officer.

 

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