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Inspectorate’s ‘serious concerns’ about police

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chris salmonHER MAJESTY’S INSPECTOR OF CONSTABULARY (HMIC) Wendy Williams has delivered her final report on the condition of Dyfed Powys Police. While the Inspector found areas of good practice, she nonetheless found that the Force requires serious improvement.

In what is likely to be a blow to incumbent Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon, not only did HMIC find ‘areas of serious concern in the performance of Dyfed Powys Police’, she also questioned whether the Force had ‘well-developed’ financial plans for the years ahead.

Ms Williams says that in view of the adverse findings: “I have been in regular contact with the chief constable and I am reassured by the way that the force has acknowledged and responded to the issues we have raised. However, I do not underestimate the challenge faced by the force.”

Ms Williams continued: “The force is good at preventing crime and anti-social behaviour and has good arrangements in place to tackle serious and organised crime. However, I am concerned that suitably trained investigators are not always available and, in particular, at the lack of professional expertise in the investigation of some high-risk domestic abuse cases.”

Of particular concern is likely to be the finding that call-handling procedures and training are inadequate, with HMIC remarking: “The force has more to do to improve its response to vulnerable people. I am not satisfied that the risks faced by emergency and non-emergency callers are consistently understood by call-handlers. This is hindering progress that the force is making in safeguarding the most vulnerable.”

Highlighting the Force’s financial arrangements, an area upon which Mr Salmon has invested a great deal of political capital, the Inspector said: “The Force’s plan to continue to provide effective policing over its very large geographical area with fewer staff needs to be developed as a matter of urgency.”

She concluded: “In the year ahead, I will be particularly interested to see how the force improves how it deals with vulnerable victims, with particular attention being given to how public calls are handled and how domestic abuse cases are conducted. I would also like to see the force publish clear and realistic plans for achieving savings beyond 2016.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon responded by implying the report was itself out of date: “This HMIC report is based on an inspection carried out last year. It repeats findings from previous reports based on the same inspection. I do not believe it adds anything to those reports.”

No doubt Mr Salmon would have said the same about a more positive report.

Mr Salmon continued: “Based on HMIC’s own statistics Dyfed-Powys has the lowest number of recorded crimes in England and Wales. The force has the highest detection rate in England and Wales.

“Dyfed-Powys has seen crime and antisocial behaviour fall further and faster than anywhere else in Wales.

“There is always more to do to keep our communities safe. With the fantastic officers we have, I am determined to make our homes, businesses and communities even safer.”

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. tomos

    March 10, 2016 at 9:59 am

    Maybe once Mr Salmon gets some new tyres to replace the bald ones he has on his police car he can rush down to Pembrokeshire and start investigating Pembrokeshire County Council ?

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Crime

Pembroke Dock resident faces court over dog control breaches

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PHILIP Murray, 52, of 11 Picton Place, Pembroke Dock, will appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 14) to face several charges of breaching a community protection notice. The notice, issued under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, required Murray to control his dogs in response to repeated disturbances.

The charges relate to incidents from May to September 2024, when Murray allegedly failed to comply with the restrictions set out in a notice issued on January 3, 2024. Court documents state that despite multiple warnings, Murray continued to disregard the order, leading to ongoing issues linked to his dogs’ behaviour.

If found guilty, Murray could face a Level 4 fine for each offence. The hearing is scheduled to take place from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in Courtroom 1, presided over by the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Adult Panel.

The case underscores the role of community protection notices in addressing persistent anti-social behavior.

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Crime

Cilgerran driver banned for drug use on Cardigan high street

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A CILGERRAN motorist appeared before a district judge after driving on Cardigan High Street under the influence of cannabis.

On May 3, police officers on patrol detected a strong smell of cannabis from a Volkswagen Golf driven by Kim Haynes, 40.

A drugs wipe returned a positive result, with subsequent tests showing Haynes had 3.4 mcg of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol in her blood, above the legal limit of 2.

Haynes, of Sun Cottage, Church Street, Cilgerran, pleaded guilty to driving over the specified drug-drive limit. She was fined and ordered to pay a total of £365, including costs and a court surcharge, and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

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Crime

Motorist disqualified after cannabis-fuelled traffic collision

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A 21-YEAR-OLD driver has been disqualified after a traffic pile-up on the A40 following cannabis use.

Officers attended Arnold’s Hill, Slebech, on March 29 in response to a multi-vehicle collision involving Kayleigh Taylor, 21, whose Toyota Aygo was on the opposite carriageway.

“There was a smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle, so a drugs wipe was conducted, which returned a positive result,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan. Further tests showed Taylor had 7.7 mcg of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol in her blood, above the legal limit of 2.

Taylor, of Princess Royal Way, Haverfordwest, admitted to driving over the specified drug-drive limit and possessing 266.1 grams of cannabis found in her vehicle.

District Judge Mark Layton sentenced her to a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was disqualified from driving for 17 months, fined £80, and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

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