Crime

Pembrokeshire street lighting changes impact revealed

Published

2 months ago

November 19, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PART-NIGHT and LED street lighting changes started more than a decade ago are saving Pembrokeshire’s council some £1.5m a year, committee members heard.

A report for members Pembrokeshire County Council’s Policy and Pre-Decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 18, presented by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said, since 2009, the authority has implemented a system of part-night street lighting, which enables all lighting in non-core areas extinguished between midnight and 5.30am.

This was followed in 2016 by the street lighting in core dusk-dawn areas being replaced with low-energy LED units, fitted with programmable photocells which enable dimming during quieter times.

Since 2021 the remaining part-night lanterns have all been bulk-converted to LED.

It added: “As part of the savings identified in the 2024/25 council budget, in 2024 the remaining 186 streetlights that had historically been installed in areas that do not comply with the policy criteria were finally decommissioned.

“During this work the street lighting team received requests for lighting to be reinstated in 11 locations. These locations were reinvestigated, and none were found to satisfy the policy criteria for lighting, and have therefore not been restored.”

In response to a perception the removal of lighting may lead to an increase in rural crime, the views of the local Rural Policing team were sought, the report said, the responses being: “I can present no evidence to suggest that areas where street lighting is not present has an increased chance of there being a crime within that area, compared to areas where there is street lighting.

“However, the use of lighting to act as a deterrent to crime needs to be considered and thought through but is more than just simply the use of street lighting.”

The report said the numbers of street-lighting lanterns managed by the council has not altered significantly over the last decade, with some 15,500 lanterns, but the changes and energy saving measures “has resulted in significant savings of circa £1.5m per annum to the authority surrounding the provision of this service”.

Cllr Mike John, who had previously raised concerns about the loss of rural street lighting at Cabinet, expressed his disappointment the policy report was purely for noting, calling for a review of the whole policy.

Cllr Sinnett responded saying said there were “no issues” with a further look at the criteria, giving his assurances councillors would be able to review the situation, but felt there was a need “to do it with a sense of realism,” the costs balanced against any concerns.

Members backed the recommendation the report be noted.

Crime

Armed police called to Milford Haven address

Published

9 hours ago

January 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ARMED police responded to an incident in Vicary Crescent, Milford Haven, on Sunday morning, with witnesses reporting a significant emergency presence on the usually quiet residential street just off The Rath.

Residents said officers arrived shortly after 9:00am and that at least six police vehicles were seen in the area, including two police vans. Witnesses also reported seeing armed officers at the scene.

The incident is believed to be related to a domestic matter, though police have not yet issued an official statement. The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police requesting comment and will update this report when more information is available.

The dramatic scenes caused concern among some residents.

One woman told The Herald: “I’ve never seen anything like this down here. It really was a shock first thing on a Sunday morning.”

Police were also seen in numbers at St Lawrence Avenue in Hakin.

It is not yet clear whether anyone was arrested, and details surrounding the operation are still being confirmed as this is a breaking story.

***Police were also seen at St Lawrence Avenue at the same time, and this is believed to be connected to the same incident.***

Crime

Carmarthenshire man committed to Crown Court over online child sex offences

Published

9 hours ago

January 18, 2026

Court Reporter

MAN accused of attempting to involve a child in sexual activity online has been sent to the Crown Court for sentence after indicating guilty pleas at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Richard Dawe, 61, of Caroline Street, Llanelli, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jan 14) for a first hearing.

The court heard Dawe is charged with attempting to cause a child under thirteen to look at an image of sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and attempting to cause or incite a girl under thirteen to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in Llanelli between Tuesday, January 7 and Monday, January 13, involving a child described in the court register as “purported to be” aged twelve.

Dawe indicated guilty pleas to all three matters on Tuesday (Jan 14). The case was committed to Swansea Crown Court for sentence, with a committal hearing listed for Wednesday, February 4 at 9:00am.

Magistrates granted conditional bail, including a nightly curfew, reporting requirements, and restrictions on contact with anyone under eighteen. The court also ordered a pre-sentence report.

Crime

Police appeal after vehicle damaged in Fishguard

Published

3 days ago

January 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a parked vehicle was damaged in Fishguard.

Officers say the incident happened sometime between the late hours of Sunday (Jan 4) and the early hours of Monday (Jan 5) in the area between Ffwrn and Pizza Point.

A blue Skoda Karoq was parked there when its front windscreen was damaged.

Anyone with information, or private CCTV such as doorbell footage, or dashcam recordings showing suspicious activity, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police by emailing [email protected], calling 101, or sending a direct message on social media.

The reference is DP-20260107-035.