POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a road traffic collision involving a cyclist and a vehicle in Aberporth.

The incident happened at around 3:45pm on Saturday (Feb 28) on Rhiw Y Plas, at the junction with Heol Pentraeth.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the cyclist sustained minor injuries following the collision.

Officers are now asking anyone who was in the area at the time, or who may have captured the incident on dashcam, to come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police quoting reference DP-20260301-124.

Information can be provided online via the police website, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Cost of posting letters has more than doubled in six years as service continues to miss targets

THE PRICE of a first-class stamp will rise to £1.80 from next month, as Royal Mail pushes ahead with another increase despite ongoing criticism of the postal service’s reliability.

From April 7, the cost of sending a first-class letter will increase by 10p, while the price of a second-class stamp will rise by 4p to 91p.

The latest rise means the cost of a first-class stamp has more than doubled in six years, increasing by 137% since 2020, following eight separate price hikes.

Second-class stamps have also risen sharply, with six increases during the same period.

Delivery targets repeatedly missed

The announcement comes as Royal Mail continues to face criticism for failing to meet its delivery performance targets.

Consumer group Citizens Advice said the price rise was difficult to justify while service standards remain poor.

Anne Pardoe, head of policy at Citizens Advice said: “More than half a decade has gone by since Royal Mail last met its delivery targets. For many people, sending important letters has become a gamble.

“People can’t be certain if essential documents, including medical appointments, will arrive on time.”

She warned that proposed changes to delivery schedules could worsen the situation.

“Higher prices must come with higher standards,” she said. “Ofcom should not simply approve these increases while service levels continue to fall.”

MPs raise concerns over postal delays

Royal Mail has also been summoned to appear before MPs after complaints about postal delays and reports that letters are sometimes delivered in batches rather than daily.

The last time the company met its annual first-class delivery target was in 2019–20.

Royal Mail cites rising costs

Royal Mail says the increases are necessary due to falling letter volumes and rising delivery costs.

Richard Travers, managing director of letters at Royal Mail said: “We carefully consider price changes to balance affordability with the rising cost of delivering mail.

“People are sending far fewer letters than they used to — around 70% fewer than twenty years ago — while the number of addresses we deliver to has increased by four million, bringing the total to 32 million across the UK.”

He added that the average UK adult now spends around £6.50 a year on stamps.

Changes to second-class service

Royal Mail is also pressing ahead with wider reforms to the postal service.

Last year, regulator Ofcom approved plans allowing the company to remove Saturday deliveries for second-class letters, replacing them with deliveries every other weekday.

The changes are currently being tested in 35 delivery offices across the UK.

Talks between Royal Mail and the Communications Workers Union (CWU) about how the reforms should be rolled out ended without agreement earlier this week, though negotiations have been extended.

Royal Mail says changes to the universal service are needed to ensure the long-term future of the postal system.

Despite the price rises, the company argues that UK stamp prices remain below the European average, which it says is around £1.93 for first class and £1.56 for second class.

A CONFERENCE examining how technology is reshaping modern policing brought together experts, officers and community representatives at Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters in Carmarthen on Wednesday (Mar 4).

Hosted by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Policing in a Digital Age conference welcomed guests both in person and online, with speakers discussing the opportunities and risks created by rapidly evolving digital technology.

The event, chaired by Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn, brought together policing professionals, partner organisations, businesses, academics and community representatives to explore the growing impact of artificial intelligence, cybercrime and digital systems on community safety.

One of the opening sessions focused on how criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence. Luke Pulvirenti, AI Intelligence Coordinator, outlined how AI-assisted technologies are being used to facilitate fraud and exploitation, particularly targeting vulnerable people. He stressed the importance of public awareness and prevention.

Delegates also heard from Dyfed-Powys Police representatives Karen Marshall and Calvin Griffiths, who discussed the work of the Force Communication Centre. They explained how digital systems, CCTV and online reporting tools are transforming public contact with police and helping officers respond more effectively to incidents.

Emerging technologies were another focus of the conference. Detective Sergeant Rob Gravelle and James Taylor outlined how immersive and virtual reality technologies are being explored to improve police training, particularly for first responders and officers dealing with domestic abuse investigations.

The growing cybercrime threat was addressed by Allan Rush, Cyber Fraud Investigator with Dyfed-Powys Police. He highlighted the increasing range of digital threats affecting individuals, businesses and communities across the force area.

National perspectives were also provided during the event. Scott Lloyd, Temporary Superintendent and National Science and Innovation Coordinator at the National Police Chiefs’ Council, spoke about balancing technological innovation with the need for transparency, legitimacy and public trust in AI-enabled policing.

He was joined by colleagues Dominic Edgell, a Police Sergeant, and Karl Roberts, Temporary Chief Inspector with the National Facial Recognition Unit. They explained how facial recognition technology is currently being used in policing and demonstrated the latest live facial recognition systems.

The conference concluded with a presentation from Andrew Staniforth, Director of Saher Europe, who explored how policing organisations around the world are responding to rapid technological change. His session examined international approaches to policing innovation and what lessons could shape the future of policing in the UK.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “I am grateful to all of the speakers and attendees who contributed to such an insightful and thought-provoking day.

“As technology continues to evolve, it is vital that policing, partners and communities work together to understand both the opportunities and challenges it presents.

“Events such as this help ensure we remain informed, collaborative and prepared to respond to the changing nature of crime in a digital age.”