News

Plaid launches commissioner manifestos

Published

8 years ago

March 14, 2016

Critical of Christopher: Dafydd Llywelyn did not pull his punches

PLAID CYMRU candidates and members gathered in Carmarthen to launch the party’s national manifesto for the upcoming Police and Crime Commissioner election on May 5 – the same day as the Assembly election.

The Party of Wales ‘ candidates for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in the four policing forces are Arfon Jones (North Wales), Linet Purcell (South Wales), Darren Jones (Gwent) and Dafydd Llywelyn (Dyfed Powys).

The candidate for Dyfed Powys, Dafydd Llywelyn, who is the former Principal Crime and Intelligence Analyst for Dyfed Powys police force, said that the manifesto was designed to create ‘a strong, just and safe Wales’ and that this ambition would be fulfilled with three main priorities.

He added that Plaid Cymru Police and Crime Commissioners would focus on creating strong neighbourhood policing teams to cut crime in communities, protecting vulnerable groups and supporting victims, and breaking the cycle of crime to reduce future offending.

Speaking at the launch, Dafydd Llywelyn added: “Our manifesto for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections is designed to secure a strong, just and safe Wales. At the heart of our proposals lie a commitment to community safety, victim support and breaking the cycle of reoffending.”

The former police analyst went on to say: “If elected, Plaid Cymru Police and Crime Commissioners would work to ensure that all parts of Wales have strong neighbourhood policing teams that will cut crime in our communities, that vulnerable groups and victims are protected and supported so that they’re not just statistics, and that the cycle of crime is broken as often as possible.

“Plaid Cymru puts the best interests of Wales first – nationally and locally. Our PCCs would champion the needs of communities as well as continue to campaign against further Westminster cuts which have led to severely depleted frontline services.”

Looking at local policing priorities, Dafydd Llywelyn published his 10 personal pledges under the themes of Trust and Efficiency and Security and Safety as his platform to be elected as the new Police Commissioner for Dyfed Powys.

Following his address to the gathered audience and members of the press, he spoke to The Herald.

We began by asking the Plaid candidate why he had put himself forward for election.

He told us: “As many people will be aware I used to work for Dyfed Powys for thirteen and a half years. When Police and Crime Commissioners were put in post I did feel that there was a change in the way that the police were being run. I found frustrating working under that set up. As a result of that I thought perhaps I needed to be looking outside in terms of employment.

“I now lecture in criminology at Aberystwyth University. Plaid Cymru hadn’t put anyone forward the first time round, so I felt that I wasn’t represented on the ballot paper. It was a chance discussion last year when I heard the decision had changed and that Plaid Cymru were going to field candidates. I decided then to put my name forward. My background in the Police stands me in good stead.”

Dafydd Llewellyn was very direct in his criticism of the current Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon: “We have a police commissioner who has zero policing experience and that was very apparent in his first tenure.

“While I haven’t served as a police officer I did work as a support staff member in the Dyfed Powys force. Being a lecturer I am able to look at it in a critical way. I very often do research and I look at the issues of crime. I think my former colleagues appreciate that my experience does give me an insight into real policing issues.”

Given the financial difficulties facing local authorities and the Dyfed Powys- Police force we asked the Mr Llywelyn how he planned to tackle drug and alcohol related crime in the area.

He responded by identifying the range of stakeholders that a PCC needs to work with: “Drugs and alcohol-related crimes are issues you can only tackle in partnership with unitary authorities. The authority here in Carmarthenshire has called time after time for CCTV and he (Christopher Salmon) has not fulfilled that requirement. As far as social economic issues, which are often seen as the causes of crime, they are issues the Police Commissioners cannot deal with in isolation. They have to work with partner agencies, with charities and unitary authorities themselves.”

He added that it was time for Wales to be in control of its own policing policy and priorities: “We would like for recommendations in the Silk report two years for the devolving powers of policing to Cardiff to be followed through.”

The Herald asked Dafydd Llywelyn if there was a greater role to be played in crime prevention rather than crime busting.

He said: “Community work and work within the community is critical in terms of prevention and intervention. There are good examples of crime prevention undertaken by people like the youth service. I mentioned in my speech that there is a fragmentation of funding in terms of youth services. We can address that and give for the five and ten year period a strategy in terms funding for some of these agencies. It would give them a stronger footing in terms of some of the activities they want to carry out.”

With an implied criticism of a decision reached by Mr Salmon, Dafydd Llywelyn continued: “The prevention aspect is very important. I mentioned CCTV as preventing incidents from happening because they are spotted. CCTV doesn’t work as a deterrent if people understand that it isn’t being monitored. For town centre violence in particular alcohol related violent crime the deterrent is there: especially if you understand it is being monitored.”

He went on to announce further plans as Police and Crime Commissioner if elected saying that he would include investment in a modern CCTV infrastructure, road safety and ensuring victims are properly supported.

We suggested that some people might believe that the cost of employing Police and Crime Commissioners would be better spent on front line policing services.

Without hesitation the candidate explained: “If you tot the cost of their offices up it amounts to around £3m. I would agree with you that it would be better spent on front line policing. My first course of action would be to scrap the role of Deputy Police Commissioner – an unelected role which costs tens of thousands of pounds a year.”

Community

Tesco shoppers in Pembs called to help raise funds for food allergy charity

Published

4 hours ago

April 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

SHOPPERS in Pembrokeshire are being encouraged to help an in-store fundraising campaign from Monday 22nd to Sunday 28th April to support medical research into food allergies.

For the fifth year running, Tesco is working with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, to help raise awareness and support clinical research into food allergies by contributing 10p from every own brand Free From product bought in stores and online, as well as providing customers with the opportunity to round up their shopping at self-service tills throughout the week.

All money raised will help Natasha’s Foundation to continue its research into reducing the risks of food allergies and further developments into the management of allergies.

In addition to the funds being raised, the campaign aims to increase awareness in Pembrokeshire about the importance of understanding food allergies and clearly highlighting ingredients in food which can cause allergic reactions.

Natasha’s Foundation was founded in 2019 by Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse following the tragic loss of their daughter Natasha who had a fatal allergic reaction to a baguette that contained sesame seeds that were not listed on the packaging.

Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, said: “We’re thrilled that Tesco is supporting us for the fifth year running. Allergen awareness is so important, and money raised in previous years has helped to fund clinical research exploring the management of food allergies.”

Oonagh Turnbull, Head of Health Campaigns at Tesco, said: “The work that Natasha’s Foundation has done to date has been fantastic and we are delighted to be able to support this for a fifth year.

“There are now 175 products in our Free From range, from meals and desserts to snacks, all created with great taste but without any of the allergens. We welcome any shoppers in Pembrokeshire to try these products or kindly round up their shopping at the self-service tills to help raise money for a fantastic cause.”

Natasha’s Foundation is committed to raising awareness and funds for critical food allergy research. But the real impact of the charity’s work lies in the lives it can change.

Millions of people live with food allergies in the UK and must navigate a world where seemingly simple acts, like grabbing a quick bite to eat, can become fraught with danger. It can affect anyone, at any age.

Billie Hoque, a commercial manager for a maritime security company, from Luton, has three allergic children – Jess, aged 7, Jude, 4, and Jayde, three months.

Billie, 35, said: “Food allergies first entered our lives when my son Jess was born in February 2017. From birth, Jess was presenting symptoms of allergies, yet I didn’t know it at the time. His constant discomfort and breathing troubles led to numerous doctor visits only to be dismissed as new-mum worries, and I felt unheard and alone.

“The switch from breastmilk to formula was a turning point. After initial acceptance, Jess refused all feeds for three days. When he finally ate, he became violently ill and struggled to breathe. Calls to an emergency doctor offered little help, and when he was prescribed “thicker milk” it triggered a terrifying reaction. This was his first anaphylactic reaction, and the first time the doctor diagnosed him as having a severe milk protein allergy.

“The loneliness and isolation I felt from becoming an allergy parent were all-consuming. The family and friends who I had been closest to, quickly became the ones who made me feel the most alone. They didn’t understand or seem to take seriously what I was going through.

Billie continued: “Life changed for me in June 2021 when I found The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. I found a community – parents united by the fight for awareness. Meeting Nadim and Tanya, who lost their daughter Natasha to allergies, laid bare the heartbreaking truth of this condition. Yet, their strength resonated deeply.

“Though every single allergy story and experience shared through Natasha’s Foundation was different, the community all had one thing in common; we understood the fear, the loneliness, and the exhaustion of the continuous battling needed to keep our children alive. This community transformed me. No longer alone, I found strength and inspiration among these incredible people.

“Today, my purpose is clear. With this supportive network and a collective voice, we can raise awareness and fight for a future free from food allergies. This journey not only saved my sons, but it has also saved me too. I’d urge everyone to support the fantastic work of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and their goal of making food allergies history through research and raising awareness of food allergies.

“Tesco’s Free From range offers my children a chance to be included in all the tasty treats other children enjoy. Their clear labelling on the front of the packaging is not only helpful to me but is easy enough for my 7-year-old to clearly see that a food is safe for him. This limits the anxiety he has around eating new foods.”

Crime

Estate agents admit health and safety failings following fatal market incident

Published

4 hours ago

April 16, 2024

Court Reporter

WEST WALES estate agents J J Morris have appeared before Pembrokeshire law courts charged with failing to discharge general health, safety and welfare duties at Whitland Livestock Mart.

The charges have been brought by the Health and Safety Executive following the death of retired council worker Huw Evans on November 19, 2022.

Mr Evans, 75, was confronted by what has been described as ‘an extremely agitated’ cow on the main road through Whitland following its escape from the livestock market.

Mr Evans sustained multiple serious injuries as a result, and died in hospital six days later.

J J Morris was subsequently charged with failing to ensure that the health, safety and welfare of their employees were reasonably protected from being at risk of injury from escaped livestock at the time of the accident on November 19.

They face a second charge of failing to ensure that people who were not in their employment were reasonably protected from being at risk of injury from escaped livestock at the time of the accident on November 19.

David Arwel Thomas, director of J J Morris, appeared in court this afternoon (Tuesday, April 16), via a video link where he pleaded guilty to both charges.

Also present at today’s hearing were members of the late Mr Evans’ family, including his son, who sat in the public gallery throughout.

“This was an incident in November, 2022, involving an employee of J J Morris and a member of the public when a cow escaped from Whitland mart and managed to get into an area of the public outside the Co-op store,” commented the legal representative of the Health and Safety Executive.

“Various drovers attempted to stop and control it but it struck one of the employees who suffered bruising and swelling to his leg.

“In the High Street area it struck Mr Evans, who sadly died a few days later from his injuries.”

The matter has now been adjourned to June 20 when sentencing against J J Morris will take place at Llanelli Magistrates Court.

Community

Cardigan Radio launches daily live broadcasts

Published

6 hours ago

April 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

Cardigan Radio/Radio Aberteifi says it is excited to announce a new line up of daily live broadcasts starting every evening from 7 PM at www.cardiganinternetradio.wales. Live shows will be hosted
by founder and presenter Bobby Kelly and other dedicated volunteer members.

The Cardigan Radio stream is constantly alive with great music that spans various genres, providing something for everyone. Listeners are encouraged to tune in and experience the quality and diversity of
Cardigan Radio’s programming for themselves.

You can listen 24/7 not only through their website www.cardiganinternetradio.wales but also on platforms such as Online

Radio Box and Radio Garden.

Online Radio Box: https://onlineradiobox.com/uk/cardiganinternet/
Radio Garden: https://radio.garden/visit/cardigan/DyV8OcNC

Interested in getting more involved? Cardigan Radio is always looking
for passionate volunteers to join our team. Whether you’re keen on
presenting, handling tech, or engaging with the community, we’d love to
hear from you. Contact us at [email protected] or call
01239 543025.

Connect with us on Facebook for updates and more information:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofcardiganradio
https://www.facebook.com/RadioCardigan