News

Pembrokeshire’s top Special encourages more volunteers to sign up

Published

8 years ago

February 2, 2018

A VOLUNTEER chief inspector has described joining the Dyfed-Powys Police Special Constabulary as the best thing he ever did.

Nine years ago, Specials Chief Inspector Chris Evans took the plunge and applied to become a Special Constable – and he hasn’t looked back. Now he’s encouraging people to apply as the force opens recruitment on Monday, February 5.

Specials are volunteer police officers who have the same powers as regular officers. They go on foot and car patrol, can be sent to incidents ranging from antisocial behaviour and criminal damage, to public disorder and assaults, and have the power of arrest. The only difference between Specials and regular officers is that the time they give to the force – a minimum of 16 hours a month – is voluntary.

SCI Evans started his Specials career in Pembrokeshire, and has worked his way up to Special Chief Inspector. He now takes responsibility for a team of inspectors across the four business command units. His role is to ensure they are working in line with force priorities and following the Police and Crime Commissioner’s plan.

SCI Evans volunteers around 30 hours each month but says he will never forget his first shift.

“I arrested someone in Haverfordwest for arson with intent to endanger life,” he said.

“I didn’t expect to make an arrest on my very first shift, but you just don’t know what’s going to happen.

“That’s part of what’s so amazing about the role – it’s so unexpected.”

SCI Evans was encouraged by his partner – a police officer – to apply to become a Special, and said it was the difference between the role and his regular job that made him apply. This is a common reason among Specials, who come from all walks of life and have day jobs ranging from teacher and theatre marketing manager to emergency call handler and forensic vehicle examiner.

“There were a few reasons why I applied, but the main one was that it was something so different to my job,” he said. “I was working in the control room of an oil refinery, which is so far from being a police officer. I decided to give it a go and I’ve never looked back.”

Recruitment for Special Constables is open from Monday, February 5 to Wednesday, March 7, and SCI Evans has urged anyone thinking about applying to just go for it.

“I would encourage people to apply in a heartbeat,” he said.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. It opens so many avenues and you learn so much about people that you could never learn anywhere else.

“There’s no other job like it.”

Applicants must submit a written application form, pass a medical and vetting and fitness test. They then go through seven weekends of initial training, which covers aspects of law, personal safety training, restraint techniques, conflict management, role play scenarios, training on force systems, dealing with antisocial behaviour, stop search and standard search procedures.

This is followed up by divisional training once a month on their respective divisions where their knowledge is built upon. They start work books as soon as they come in and follow these through to completion on division – once they have completed their workbooks and have had them signed off they achieve independent patrol status.

Crime

Two female police officers assaulted during arrest in Haverfordwest

Published

36 minutes ago

January 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pensioner describes ‘terrifying’ struggle as suspect made off before being arrested again

A RETIRED Haverfordwest woman has described a “terrifying” incident in which she said a man assaulted two female police officers during an arrest in the town on Monday night (Jan 19).

The pensioner told The Herald she witnessed the incident at around 8:15pm in City Road, where she said officers were detaining a barefoot man and attempting to handcuff him on the ground.

She claimed the man got back to his feet during the struggle, grabbed one of the officers’ batons and began striking out, assaulting both officers.

The woman said she was left shaken by what she saw, and that a young man who also witnessed events told her he did not want to intervene because he “didn’t know if he was carrying anything.”

She said police quickly put out a distress call and a number of officers were mobilised to search for the suspect, who she claimed ran off with the baton.

Dyfed-Powys Police have since confirmed officers were called “just before 8.20pm” on Monday to reports of assault and criminal damage at a property in Haverfordwest.

A police spokesperson said the man left the scene but was “quickly located and arrested on St David’s Road.” Police said he resisted arrest during which he assaulted two officers, before making off again.

The spokesperson added: “The man made off and was later located and arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage. He currently remains in police custody.”

Police said both officers attended hospital for treatment and were later discharged.

Chief Inspector Mike Llewellyn said: “Assaults on police officers should never be considered as ‘part of the job’. Both officers acted with courage in an incredibly difficult situation. Neither took a step backward and did everything they could to detain the man.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101.

(Image: File)

Crime

Milford Haven couple jailed after nearly 50 animals found in ‘filthy conditions’

Published

49 minutes ago

January 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RSPCA officers said the stench hit them before they entered a Coombs Road home where dogs, puppies, snakes and other animals were living in waste

A COUPLE from Milford Haven have been jailed after nearly 50 animals were found living in filthy, faeces-filled conditions at a house on Coombs Road.

Lee Lock, 38, and Zoe Graham, 33, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where they admitted a string of animal welfare offences.

RSPCA officers who attended the property on December 29, 2024 said the stench of urine and faeces was overpowering before they had even stepped inside.

Once in the house, inspectors found 29 dogs and puppies – including some just days old – along with 17 snakes, a tortoise and a gecko.

The court heard every floor was covered in waste, with officers describing there being “no space large enough to step” that was not contaminated by excrement and urine.

Many of the animals were described as underweight and unwell. Several died soon after being removed, while others had to be put to sleep.

Officers also made two grim discoveries: the body of a French Bulldog in a freezer, said to be heavily infected with parasites, and another French Bulldog found dead in a shed with a rectal tear, which the court heard was consistent with a blunt object being inserted.

Lock gave no comment during interview, but later became abusive towards officers, the court was told, accusing them of raping his dog.

Lock also faced separate drug charges after police found psilocybin mushrooms weighing 209 grams – said to be worth up to £4,000 – along with cultivation equipment, 35 grams of cannabis and £883 in cash. The drugs were found at the property and in his camper van in June 2024.

He claimed his partner had grown the mushrooms and said he was taking them to a police station when he was stopped.

The court heard Lock has 12 previous convictions for 19 offences, including coercive behaviour, dangerous driving and possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for 18 months last June after crashing head-on into a van.

Defending, Emily Bennett said Lock had struggled with his mental health after family bereavements and had a long-standing cocaine addiction. She told the court he was being sentenced for failing to seek veterinary help for an injured dog rather than causing the injuries, adding that a pre-sentence report raised concerns about his sexual interests, though this did not form part of the prosecution case.

Graham’s barrister, Jon Tarrant, said the couple had started out trying to provide homes for homeless animals, but matters became “unmanageable” as numbers grew. He described Graham as “fragile” and said her remorse was “palpable and genuine”.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees said the pair bore responsibility for “a litany of unconscionable cruelty to animals” and said it was to their shame the animals had been kept in “filthy conditions”.

Lock was sentenced to 27 months for the animal offences and a further 18 months for the drugs matter, making a total of 45 months in prison. Graham was jailed for 18 months.

Both will serve up to half of their sentences in custody before being released on licence.

Lock was banned from keeping animals for 25 years. Graham was disqualified for 15 years.

Business

Blas brings Pembrokeshire flavours to Cardiff with ‘Blas in the City’ at The Parkgate Hotel

Published

59 minutes ago

January 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

BLAS RESTAURANT, the three AA rosette dining destination known for its modern Welsh cooking and deep connection to Pembrokeshire’s land and coast, is heading to the capital for a special three-day pop-up: Blas in the City, taking place from Thursday 26 February to Saturday 28 February 2026 at The Sorting Room in Cardiff’s landmark Parkgate Hotel.

For a limited time only, Cardiff diners are invited to experience the flavours, creativity and storytelling that define Blas — without leaving the city. Working alongside The Parkgate Hotel’s kitchen team, Blas Head Chefs Dan Slipakiv and Gareth Evans will present a bespoke menu showcasing the best of seasonal Welsh produce, with refined, flavour-led dishes inspired by Wales’s rich natural larder.

“Blas in the City is an exciting opportunity for us to share what we do with a new audience,” said Blas Head Chef Gareth Evans. “We’re proud of our Pembrokeshire roots, and this collaboration allows us to bring the spirit, flavours and creativity of Blas to Cardiff.”

Hosted in The Sorting Room — a Michelin Guide-listed, two AA rosette restaurant — the pop-up combines Blas’s bold contemporary style with the elegance of one of Cardiff’s most celebrated dining rooms.

Event details

Dates: 26–28 February 2026

Lunch: 12:30pm – 3:45pm

Dinner: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Location: The Sorting Room, The Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff

Dress code: Smart casual

Guests can book for lunch or dinner across all three days, with exclusive menus available throughout the event.

Blas in the City reflects the restaurant’s ongoing commitment to championing Welsh food, seasonal cooking and meaningful collaborations — offering guests the chance to enjoy something genuinely memorable.

Bookings are now open and availability is limited.
https://www.theparkgatehotel.wales/home/restaurant-bar/blas-in-the-city/

About Blas Restaurant

Blas is a three AA rosette contemporary Welsh restaurant rooted in Pembrokeshire, celebrating outstanding local produce, bold flavours and a strong sense of place. The name “Blas”, meaning “taste” in Welsh, reflects the restaurant’s philosophy of thoughtful, ingredient-led cooking inspired by land and sea.