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.”
A FAMILY has been left with nothing after a devastating house fire tore through their home in Tregunnor on Monday (Apr 7).
The blaze destroyed everything inside the house, leaving the homeowner, his children, and their family dog with only the clothes on their backs. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the emotional impact of losing their home and belongings has been described as “immeasurable.”
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been launched by the homeowner’s nephew, Kian Evans, in an effort to help the family rebuild their lives. The fundraiser, titled “Tregunnor House Fire,” has so far raised £40 from two donors, with hopes that more support will follow.
Mr Evans praised the emergency services for their swift response and thanked the local community for their messages of support and solidarity.
He wrote: “They have lost everything, from furniture to cherished memories. The goal is to help them get back on their feet after such a traumatic experience. Every little helps.”
The family now face the daunting task of starting over, but thanks to the generosity of those around them, they are not facing it alone.
To donate to the fundraiser, visit: gofundme.com/f/tregunnor-house-fire
Photo caption:
The fire which destroyed a family home in Tregunnor (Pic: Herald).
A BROAD HAVEN man has pleaded guilty to stalking and to breaching his bail conditions on two occasions. He has denied a separate charge of criminal damage and is due to be sentenced later this month.
Thomas Jones, aged 34, of Croft Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he was dealt with for multiple offences involving the same female complainant.
Jones admitted stalking Ms Knight between December 5, 2024, and January 22, 2025, in Milford Haven. The court heard that he visited her address several times, sent over 100 calls and messages in a short period in December, and left both a parcel and an envelope containing a spa voucher.
He initially denied the stalking charge, but changed his plea to guilty on March 17. The offence falls under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Jones has denied a charge of criminal damage alleged to have occurred on July 21, 2024, when he is accused of damaging a door, radiator, cat litter tray and scratch post belonging to Ms Knight. He pleaded not guilty to this allegation on January 24.
The court also heard that Jones was arrested twice in March for breaches of bail. On March 22, he missed a curfew condition by returning home five hours late. The following day, on March 23, he allegedly contacted Ms Knight directly, in breach of an order prohibiting contact. He admitted both breaches, though those matters were formally recorded as having been dealt with at an earlier hearing.
The magistrates’ bench was chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris. Dennis Davies appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service, and Jones was represented by Fenn Richards.
Jones has been remanded on conditional bail until his next hearing on April 22, 2025, at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions include:
- Not to contact Tessa Knight directly or indirectly, except via an approved device for child contact purposes,
- Not to enter Milford Haven,
- To reside and sleep each night at 38 Croft Road, Broad Haven.
A pre-sentence report is being prepared ahead of the hearing.
A PEMBROKE DOCK man has pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage during a domestic incident last year.
Sam Wilkins, aged 42, of Bethel Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he admitted charges of assault by beating and causing criminal damage.
The offences took place on November 7, 2024, in Pembrokeshire. Wilkins was accused of assaulting a woman and damaging a coat valued at £60.
He also admitted breaching bail conditions on March 18, 2025, after contacting an individual he had been ordered not to communicate with.
The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, remanded Wilkins on conditional bail until April 15, 2025, when he is due to return to court for sentencing.
Bail conditions include:
No contact, directly or indirectly, with named individuals involved in the case,
Not to enter a specified address in Kilgetty,
Child contact to be arranged via a third party only,
Full compliance with probation requirements for a pre-sentence report.
Wilkins was represented by Jess Hill, and the prosecution was led by Dennis Davies of CPS Wales (South West).
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