News
Police ‘good’ at keeping people safe and reducing crime says report
DYFED-POWYS POLICE has this week (Mar 22) received further assurance that the wholesale change across the organisation introduced over the last twelve months is making a difference, with the HMICFRS grading the force as ‘good’ in terms of how effective it is.
This is the second consecutive ‘good’ grading rating from the HMICFRS, following the 2017 legitimacy report.
On taking up the position of Chief Constable in December 2016, Mark Collins set out his three aims:
- delivering a quality service to victims of crime
- looking after those who are most vulnerable
- doing the basic things as best we can
Deputy Chief Constable Darren Davies, assigned to oversee our progress against previous HMIC actions, said:
“The publication of today’s report acknowledges the hard work of all of our staff and the sustained improvements the force has made in delivering policing across Dyfed-Powys Police.
“We have made changes at the first point of contact, through to the support available to victims. We have introduced specialist teams to tackle the shifts in demand and crime types and, are kitting our officers out with the technology they need to keep them visible, available and accountable while active in our communities.
“We have listened to our staff and communities and implemented many of their ideas, which in turn have brought about these improvements.
“We’ve come a long way in the last twelve to eighteen months, but there is still a lot more we want to do. To come from a position of ‘Requiring Improvement’ across the board hasn’t been easy, but to receive this grading today signals that the hard work of many is delivering what we and our communities want and need.”
The efforts to improve haven’t been about only the HMIC grading though – Dyfed-Powys Police is proud of its place as a service of its communities and for its communities.
The force is committed to ensuring that local policing continues to be delivered, in what is a very unique policing area, given its geography and very rural population. But, the service must also be in a strong position to deliver on the rapidly changing nature of crime, with online and cyber enabled criminality, crime which has no boundaries, placing extraordinary demands on services nationally.
Deputy Chief Constable Davies, continued: “As well as these big structural changes, we have also made many small changes – the cumulative effect of these being significant. What pleases me most about this is that these everyday changes are coming from our officers and staff. We are developing a culture whereby they feel able to have a say and make recommendations for improvement. These suggestions are based on their own experiences and vision and show a real commitment to improvement.”
Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn, told The Herald: “The service Dyfed-Powys Police gives to its communities is at the heart of everything I want to achieve as the Police and Crime Commissioner. The outcome of today’s HMIC report is testimony to the hard work of the force’s leadership team, and all its officers, staff and volunteers. I have my own sense of the impact our changes have made, and the achievement of a second Good outcome validates that.
“Now the force has a solid foundation of good performance it is important we don’t become complacent. My ambition is to maintain this momentum of change to achieve further improvements over the next two years.
“I will continue to work closely with the Chief Officer Team, holding them to account, to make sure the force is in a position to sustain this performance, and build upon it.”
Local Government
Clean-up after yacht wrecked on rocks at Lower Town, Fishguard
A YACHT that ran aground on rocks at Lower Town in Fishguard is being cleared by Pembrokeshire County Council after debris washed onto the shoreline.
Council officers attended the scene to assess the situation and begin removing wreckage after the vessel was found stranded among the rocks.
Heavy machinery was brought in to help clear debris from the beach, with workers seen dismantling parts of the damaged yacht and removing material that had scattered along the shoreline.
Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it is aware of the incident and has issued a Notice to Mariners, warning of the potential presence of floating debris in the surrounding waters.
The notice advises vessels navigating in the area to exercise caution while clearance work continues.
No further details about how the yacht came to run aground have been released.
Cover pic:
Council workers clear debris from a yacht that ran aground at Lower Town, Fishguard.
Community
Sea Cadets receive grant, donation and celebrate World Book Day
MILFORD HAVEN SEA CADETS have had a busy and successful week, with new equipment arriving at the unit, a donation from a local organisation, and junior members taking part in World Book Day activities.
The Milford Haven unit recently received delivery of new Standard Horizon VHF radios, which will be used during the upcoming boating season. The equipment was purchased after the group successfully secured funding through the RCD Foundation Grant.
The radios will help cadets develop important communication and safety skills while taking part in maritime training on the water.

The unit also received a £100 donation from Neyland Lodge, with cadets presented with a cheque during the week. Staff at the unit said the contribution would help support activities and training opportunities for young people involved in the organisation.
Leaders at the unit thanked the lodge for its support, describing the donation as a welcome boost for the cadet group.
Meanwhile, junior Sea Cadets marked World Book Day by taking part in a special visit to their local library. Along with members of the Junior Training Organisation (JTO), the young cadets dressed up and learned about the role of a librarian.
During the visit, they explored the library and each chose a favourite book, helping to encourage reading and learning outside the classroom.

Milford Haven Sea Cadets said the week highlighted the wide range of experiences available to cadets, from maritime training and community support to educational activities.
The unit is part of the wider Sea Cadet network operating across West Wales and continues to provide opportunities for young people in the Milford Haven area to develop skills, confidence and teamwork.
Local Government
Petition calling for clean rivers policy wins unanimous support at County Hall
A PETITION calling for Pembrokeshire County Council to adopt a stronger Clean Rivers Policy has received unanimous support from councillors at County Hall.
The petition, backed by environmental campaigners and community groups, was presented during a meeting of the council on Thursday (Mar 6). Supporters in the public gallery applauded after councillors expressed their backing for the proposals.

The presentation was delivered by James Harrison-Allen, representing The Cleddau Project, a volunteer-led initiative focused on protecting and restoring the River Cleddau and its surrounding environment.
Campaigners said the atmosphere inside the council chamber was “extraordinary”, with councillors from across the political spectrum voicing support for improving river protection measures in Pembrokeshire.

The petition calls for the council to adopt a clearer policy aimed at improving water quality and tackling pollution affecting local rivers.
Supporters say pollution from multiple sources, including agricultural run-off and sewage discharges, has placed increasing pressure on rivers across Wales, including the Eastern and Western Cleddau.
Following the presentation, councillors backed the petition unanimously, prompting applause from members of the public and campaign supporters in attendance.
The campaign has drawn support from a number of environmental organisations including West Wales Rivers Trust, River Action UK, and the Campaign for National Parks.
Representatives from several organisations and public bodies were also acknowledged by campaigners, including Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, as well as local political representatives Henry Tufnell MP, Samuel Kurtz MS, and Paul Davies MS.
Campaigners say the decision marks an important step in raising awareness of river pollution issues affecting the Cleddau catchment and wider waterways across Pembrokeshire.
The Cleddau Project said the outcome was “a great day for the Cleddau” and praised the work of volunteers and supporters who have helped drive the campaign forward.
-
Community1 day agoWhitland Post Office re-opens under new management
-
Crime5 days agoNine deny Class A drugs conspiracy as case set for Crown Court trial
-
Health5 days agoWelsh Labour launches Senedd campaign with £4bn hospital pledge
-
Health3 days agoDavies and Kurtz attack ‘fantasy hospital’ pledge for west Wales
-
Education5 days agoSchool in lockdown after reported phone threat
-
Sport4 days agoSouth Pembrokeshire Short Mat Bowls Association results
-
Crime2 days agoMan who threatened to kill police during Milford Haven standoff avoids jail
-
Sport5 days agoNew arrival celebrated at Bridge Meadow






