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News

Police issue online blackmail advice after rise in cases

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DON’T panic. Don’t communicate. Don’t pay.

That’s the advice given to victims of online blackmail who are faced with demands to pay up to $1,900 or the threat that intimate photos and videos will be shared.

Dyfed-Powys Police has offered the guidance after recording four reports of online blackmail over the past month. Victims are being contacted through email or social media, with demands to make payments in Bitcoin.

The recent reports have followed two patterns.

Detective Chief Inspector Estelle Hopkin Davies said: “In two cases we’ve had recently, the victims have accepted a social media friend request from an unknown person, and started to chat with them.

“The offender has then asked the victim to engage in a video chat, with intimate photos and videos being shared. Following the conversation, a list of demands has been sent to the victim, with threats that if they do not pay, the videos will be sent to family and friends, or posted online.

“One victim reported that the blackmail fee was £1,500, which thankfully they did not pay.

“In two other cases that have been reported over the past month, the victim has been watching pornography online, and received an email containing threats shortly after.

“The offender claimed to have hacked their device and set up a dual screen system where they could record what the victim was watching, as well as what they were doing. The victims were told that the hacker had videos of them, which again would be shared with family and friends.”

Following these recent reports, Dyfed-Powys Police has offered advice to anyone who receives similar threats online.

  • Don’t panic. Stay calm and report it to police immediately. Your case will be taken seriously, it will be dealt with in confidence, and no judgements will be made on your behaviour.
  • Do not pay. In some cases where victims have paid in the hope that the threats will go away, they have continued to receive demands. If you have already paid, check if the money has been collected. If it has, and you are able to, make a note of where it was collected. If it hasn’t then you can cancel the payment – and the quicker the better.
  • Do not communicate with the offender. Take screenshots of any conversations, deactivate the social media account they contacted you on and use online reporting processes to report the matter to the social media platform. Deactivating the account, rather than shutting it down, will ensure data is preserved and will assist police in obtaining evidence.

DCI Hopkin Davies  said: “The most important aspect in investigations of this kind is the safeguarding and support we offer to victims. People in this position feel embarrassed and vulnerable, and we need to ensure they are offered support, or know where to go to receive it.

“We urge all victims to report incidents to police – you are not alone, and by taking that step you could help prevent other people from becoming victims.”

To report blackmail or sextortion to Dyfed-Powys Police call 101. If you are at immediate threat of harm, always call 999.

Business

Tenby Stores wins £5,000 award for community support

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TENBY STORES has been recognised as a Local Retail Champion, earning a £5,000 prize from Allwyn’s National Lottery Social Value Fund for its outstanding community support.

The shop has been praised for its commitment to helping the local area, providing free fruit to schools, assisting with the community fridge, and ensuring elderly residents receive their groceries with care.

Henry Tufnell MP expressed his delight at the recognition, stating: “Small businesses like Tenby Stores are the backbone of our communities, and I couldn’t be prouder to see them celebrated.”

The award highlights the important role independent retailers play in supporting local people.

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News

Welsh Government’s £789m investment package approved by Senedd

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THE WELSH GOVERMENT’S Second Supplementary Budget 2024-25 has today been approved by the Senedd.

The £789m funding package, which was published in February, received final approval today. It includes substantial investments which have been delivered throughout the year, including:

  • £264m for public sector pay rises announced in September.
  • £108m for NHS improvements, including £50m to reduce the longest waiting times by the end of March 2025.
  • £63.5m to improve school standards and support education at all levels.
  • £53.5m for school and college infrastructure repairs and digital improvements.
  • £10m to increase social housing through the Social Housing Grant.

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “We welcome the Senedd’s approval of this crucial budget. This investment strengthens the services that matter most to the people of Wales. The extra funding is supporting improvements in the NHS and schools; has provided pay increases for public sector workers and is helping to build more affordable homes for Welsh families.”

The Second Supplementary Budget also includes £166.7m for rail improvements and sustainable travel, £33.5m for road network safety, and £10m in emergency support for local authorities to repair damage caused by the winter storms.

The budget provides the essential foundation for the Welsh Government’s financial planning for 2025-26.

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Crime

Domestic violence offender jailed after breaching court order

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A LONG-STANDING Pembrokeshire domestic violence offender has been sent back to prison after breaching a domestic violence protection order.

Paul Webber was arrested on March 18 after being seen kissing his victim outside probation offices in Haverfordwest, despite a court order preventing contact.

A court order imposed by Llanelli magistrates earlier this month prevented him from making any contact with the female after being convicted of threatening to kill her, strangle her, and sexually assault her.

“On March 12, a report was made to police that he’d attended a probation appointment with the female, who remained standing outside the offices,” a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“Police officers viewed the CCTV footage and recognised the female as the victim.

“This was clearly a breach of the domestic violence protection order towards a vulnerable woman, and there’s also concern that she minimises incidents. He’s known as a domestic violence instigator with previous partners.”

Webber, of Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to breaching the domestic violence protection order.

He was sentenced to 28 days in custody.

“You were aware of the terms of the order but you deliberately breached it,” said the presiding magistrate when passing sentence.

“You showed a complete disregard for it.”

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