PUBLIC concerns about speeding, drink and drug driving, mobile phone use and anti-social driving are being used to shape targeted roads policing operations across the Dyfed-Powys Police area.

Surveys submitted through Dyfed-Powys Connects are being combined with collision data and local intelligence to identify problem areas and plan enforcement activity.

Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams, Roads Policing Units and GoSafe are working together on the initiative, with monthly meetings held to review concerns raised by residents.

The operations will focus on offences including speeding, drink and drug driving, failing to wear a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving. Anti-social driving has also been highlighted by members of the public.

Offending motorists stopped during the operations may be offered roadside engagement or face enforcement action.

Police said drivers could be offered a free roadside engagement session or a fixed penalty, depending on the offence and circumstances. A seatbelt offence currently carries a £100 fine, while a speeding offence can result in a £100 fine and three penalty points.

Motorists who refuse to engage with officers, or who are found to be exceeding the speed limit by a greater margin, may be prosecuted.

GoSafe will also assist with targeted enforcement in surrounding areas. Offences recorded by GoSafe may result in an educational course or a fixed penalty, depending on eligibility.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “The information people give us through Dyfed-Powys Connects is invaluable. It lets our teams get into the heart of communities struggling with these issues.

“Connects is opening a new way for us to talk directly with people and have conversations that shape what our officers are doing.

“The more we get from people on Dyfed-Powys Connects, the more we can target this behaviour and make our roads safer for everyone.”

Dyfed-Powys Connects is free to sign up for and is available online or as an app. It provides local alerts about policing activity, crime, anti-social behaviour, events and prevention messages.

Police said the activity and results of the road safety operations will also be published through Dyfed-Powys Connects.

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Fishguard this month as part of her annual visit to South West Wales.

Paddle Steamer Waverley will call at Fishguard on Wednesday (Jun 17), offering passengers an evening cruise along the Pembrokeshire coastline.

The historic vessel, which is celebrating 80 years since her launch in 1946, will sail past Strumble Head Lighthouse before continuing towards St David’s Head.

Matthew Tucker MBE, Fishguard Port Manager, said Stena Line Ports was proud to welcome the vessel back to the town.

He said: “Her arrival offers a rare opportunity for visitors and residents alike to experience a unique and much-loved vessel up close.

“This year’s visit is made even more significant as Waverley celebrates the 80th anniversary of her launch, and her call at Fishguard places the port firmly on the map as part of this historic journey, attracting enthusiasts, tourists, and day-trippers eager to be part of the experience.

“We expect the visit to create a vibrant buzz across the area, showcasing Fishguard as a destination rich in heritage and coastal charm.”

Waverley’s General Manager, Paul Semple, said the visit was particularly special as the ship continues to steam around the coastline of Great Britain eight decades after her launch.

He said: “While the cost of operating a historic ship continues to rise, including a 65 per cent increase in fuel costs this season, Waverley remains very much in operation thanks to the tremendous support we receive from passengers, members, volunteers and supporters across the UK.

“The best way people can help secure Waverley’s future is by stepping aboard and enjoying a cruise, helping to ensure she can continue sailing for generations to come.”

Passengers on board can hear the ship’s telegraph ring, visit the engine room, watch the paddles turning through the portholes, and enjoy catering facilities including snacks, meals, refreshments and a souvenir shop.

Waverley is also due to call at Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16) during her Pembrokeshire visit.

The ship was built in Glasgow for the London and North Eastern Railway, launched on October 2, 1946, and entered service on June 16, 1947.

She was gifted to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society in 1974 for £1 and has since carried more than six million passengers in preservation.

Tickets are available from waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling 0141 243 2224.

OLDER people in Wales must not be left behind by the new Welsh Government, the Older People’s Commissioner has warned.

Rhian Bowen-Davies has written to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth calling for urgent action to protect the rights, safety and well-being of older people across Wales.

The Commissioner said the new Government must use the momentum of the recent election to deliver practical change, particularly in health care, cost-of-living support, digital access and employment.

One of her key demands is an action plan to end so-called “corridor care”, where patients are treated in non-clinical areas because of pressure on hospitals.

The Commissioner said older people are disproportionately affected because they are the main users of hospital services, and warned that corridor care raises serious concerns around dignity, safety and patient rights.

She is also calling for more support for older people struggling financially, with living costs expected to rise sharply in the months ahead as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.

Ms Bowen-Davies wants the Welsh Government to establish a new Resilience Fund for older people who are in financial difficulty but do not qualify for other help, such as Pension Credit.

She has also urged ministers to do more to identify older people who are missing out on financial support they are entitled to.

It is estimated that more than £100m in support went unclaimed in Wales last year, remaining with the Treasury instead of reaching older people’s pockets.

Digital exclusion is another major concern raised in the letter. The Commissioner said public bodies must ensure services remain accessible and inclusive as more information and support moves online.

She is calling on the Welsh Government to examine whether public organisations have the guidance they need to design digital services that do not shut older people out.

The letter also highlights the contribution older people make to Wales through work, volunteering and unpaid care, which is worth billions of pounds each year.

The Commissioner said better support for older workers to remain in work, or return to employment, could boost the Welsh economy by around £1bn a year.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said: “It’s vital we capitalise on the energy and momentum that’s been generated by a historic election and the formation of a new Government to deliver meaningful, positive change for older people.

“Growing older in Wales is a positive experience for many people and we have strong foundations from which to build progress and change, not least the invaluable strength, resilience and support within our communities.

“But there is still much to do to ensure older people can access the services and support they need to live and age well, and that their rights are protected and upheld.

“And while much of the change required to enable this will need to be delivered over the longer-term, it is my view that action must be prioritised in a number of key areas.

“That’s why I’m calling on the First Minister to take urgent action to end the corridor care crisis, ensure older people can access cost-of-living support if they need it and to prevent exclusion in an increasingly digital world.

“I have requested a meeting with him to discuss these issues and how to resolve them in more detail, and look forward to receiving a response from him soon.”