Community

Value your local bobby

Published

10 years ago

April 20, 2015

BOBBIES with local knowledge making local decisions – they’re crucial to helping residents of rural Wales feel safe. High-level new research by university specialists reveals that communities want stronger neighbourhood bonds with the police. Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon, who funds the work known as Rural Connect, said: “Local policing is vital. I want offi cers to know – and be known – in their communities. That way we build trust and confi dence.

This research is an important reminder of some old lessons. Local people say the small stuff matters. We must tackle the crime and antisocial behaviour that doesn’t make headlines but does make their lives miserable. Senior offi cers must encourage the eff ort needed to build grassroots relationships; they must empower local offi cers to make judgments. Clear communication between the police and public is vital but it takes time, skill and eff ort. Rural Connect contains strong messages from the public and the police. It’s an important piece of research that will help us improve how we police rural communities.”

Dyfed-Powys has unique challenges due to its rural nature; it’s the biggest police force area in England and Wales, covering more than half the landmass of the principality, and has a thinly spread small population of around 520,000. In light of the report, Mr Salmon’s actions will include exploring: • Better mobility for local offi cers, including cycles and mopeds;

• More Special Constables with specialist local or professional knowledge;

• A Say Hello! campaign encouraging offi cers and public to speak more often.

• Local initiatives to replace ineff ective PACT meetings;

• More public access to mediation. He is already considering how schools work can become the responsibility of local offi cers. He wants a better 101 system, more investment in police IT, a review of police middle management and to review provision of the Bobby Van service : ‘Its withdrawal was a mistake’.

The research was led by the Universities’ Police Science Institute (UPSI) based at Cardiff University and used the expertise of Aberystwyth University’s Department of Law and Criminology. It included detailed discussions with members of the public, police offi cers and police staff . The sessions were run by UPSI, the Commissioner’s Offi ce and Dyfed-Powys Police. The key question was: “How can the police best connect with people living in rural communities?” Mr Salmon said: “The voices in this research deserve to be heard. They highlight key areas that we need to address. Some of these areas require small tweaks; others need more fundamental work. I will explore them all in more detail with the Chief Constable.” The Rural Connect report is published today and concludes that, although excellent work is being done by police communities across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys, much still needs to be done. It recommends that neighbourhood police offi cers and volunteers should be fully valued, that local knowledge should be developed and retained, that local decision making should be encouraged and that the police should connect more with local people.

Mr Salmon said: “This research is already having an impact; it’s being woven into the force’s strategy for rural policing which is being developed. I want the police to be innovative and outward-thinking in working with local people. Already I’ve removed their targets, have brought a new focus to community policing, have created 30 new police offi cer posts and IT will bring 100,000 more hours on the beat this year. Police offi cers are using my grants to help local organisations thrive, they’re embracing innovations such as Twitter and I regularly witness strong relationships between offi cers, PCSOs and local people. But there’s a long way to go. The public have given me more ideas about what they want, I’ll be working hard with the Chief Constable to drive improvements and I’m already starting to build on the Rural Connect research.”

Sarah Tucker, a research associate at UPSI, said: “Working together with Dyfed Powys staff and offi cers we were able to listen to and understand the issues that aff ect them and their communities, creating an evidence base to inform future decision making.” Rural Connect report author Kate Williams, senior lecturer in criminology at Aberystwyth University and deputy director of the Welsh Centre for Crime and Social Justice, said: “Working in partnership with Dyfed-Powys staff we were able to learn that both the police and the people in rural communities cherished a positive working relationship. With decisionmaking based on an understanding of local needs, the trust between police and rural communities would build and the connection would strengthen.” Other research just published on behalf of Mr Salmon includes an UPSI study into research literature on rural policing.

Community

Milford Haven mum gives birth to triplets amid medical emergency

Published

3 days ago

December 28, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PREGNANCY is often a challenging experience, but for Ellie Davies from Milford Haven, it became even more stressful when she found herself facing a 140-mile round trip away from home during labour.

Ellie was initially admitted to Carmarthen’s Glangwili Hospital with pre-eclampsia, a condition causing dangerously high blood pressure. However, due to a lack of available neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) beds, staff arranged her transfer to Singleton Hospital in Swansea, nearly 30 miles away. Thankfully, accommodation was also provided onsite for her fiancé, Craig Butland.

RENAL FAILURE COMPLICATIONS
Ellie explained: “I had pre-eclampsia and was taken to Glangwili. My blood pressure was going up and down, and they had to ring around hospitals with a NICU to see if they had any spare beds – Singleton was the only one with space.”

On November 12, Ellie was transferred to Swansea, where she remained on the antenatal ward. However, her condition worsened. “On Sunday 17, my kidneys became affected by the pre-eclampsia, and I was going into renal failure,” she said.

In the early hours of Monday, November 18, Ellie underwent an emergency C-section, delivering triplets Mia, Isla, and Elsie two months prematurely.

BRIEF FIRST MEETING
“I only met Isla, the middle triplet, for around two minutes before she was taken to neonatal to be with her sisters,” Ellie shared.

Mia was born weighing 2lb 9oz, Isla at 2lb 10oz, and Elsie at 2lb 8oz. All three girls initially required breathing support and spent nine days in the NICU. Now, over three pounds each, they are receiving care at Glangwili’s special care unit and are reportedly “doing really well.”

SUPPORT FROM NHS STAFF
Reflecting on their experience, Ellie praised the hospital staff: “The midwives Louise and Emily were amazing, answering every question we had and supporting us through everything. Dr Sree Nittur, who was there during the delivery, followed up daily. The neonatal nurses were absolutely fantastic, and we can’t thank them enough for their care and dedication.”

A PLACE TO STAY
For Craig, the availability of accommodation at Cwtsh Clos, a row of five houses on the Singleton Hospital site, was a significant relief. Without it, he would have faced daily commutes between Milford Haven and Swansea.

“Craig spent a week in Cwtsh Clos, and I joined him for the final night,” Ellie said. “It was a huge help having Craig so close. It’s one problem you don’t have to think about, and it gives you a space to gather your thoughts.”

The couple is now supporting Swansea Bay Health Charity’s Cwtsh Clos appeal, which aims to raise £160,000 to refurbish the homes for future families in similar situations.

‘TRIPLETS ARE A RARITY’
Lisa Harris, interim matron for neonatal services, said: “We are delighted to hear the girls are doing well. Cwtsh Clos allows parents to stay close to their babies, which is so important during such critical times.”

NICU consultant Kate Burke added: “Triplets are a rarity for us. We serve families across south central and south west Wales, and often, we’re the unit they turn to when pregnancies are more complicated. It’s wonderful to see families like Ellie and Craig’s returning home with their babies healthy and thriving.”

The family recently celebrated their first Christmas together with Mia, Isla, and Elsie, expressing heartfelt gratitude to all who supported them through their journey.

Support the Cwtsh Clos Appeal: Donations can be made via the Swansea Bay Health Charity website.

(Pic: Swansea Bay University Health Board)

Charity

Boxing Day Duck Race raises £2,000 for Wales Air Ambulance

Published

3 days ago

December 27, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE ANNUAL BOXING DAY Duck Race in Lower Fishguard, organised by the Round Table Fishguard & District, proved to be another resounding success this year.

A large crowd gathered by the riverside to watch the vibrant yellow ducks race downstream, with participants and spectators enjoying the festive tradition despite the winter chill.

Thanks to overwhelming community support, the event raised an impressive £2,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, a vital service providing emergency air cover across the region.

The winners of this year’s race were:

1st: Duck 807 – Rachel
2nd: Duck 94 – Glenys Hughes
3rd: Duck 119 – Howard Hughes

In a lighthearted twist, the title of ‘Last Place Duck’ went to Duck 937 – Julia Moffet, earning laughs from the crowd.

A spokesperson for the Round Table Fishguard & District said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who bought ducks, attended the event, or supported us in any way. It’s always a joy to see the community come together for such a great cause.”

The Boxing Day Duck Race continues to be a cherished tradition, blending fun, community spirit, and charity support into one delightful event.

Charity

Over 1,100 festive bathers enjoy Tenby’s famous Boxing Day Swim

Published

4 days ago

December 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A RECORD-BREAKING number of 1,150 festive bathers have had a splashing time in the Tenby Boxing Day Swim this morning.

The fancy dress theme of Superheroes – in tribute to the RNLI in its 200th anniversary year – saw Batman, The Incredibles, Wonderwoman and a whole crew of emergency services dashing into the chilly water of Tenby’s North Beach.

RNLI mascot Stormy Stan was there amongst the huge crowds to cheer the brave bathers on their way.
The swim will be one to remember forever for one duo of dippers as they got engaged following a surprise proposal on the sand.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Philip Frith, 34, made one of his best-ever moves when he popped the question to his girlfriend, former professional dancer Victoria Tansey, 34, who is originally from Hakin.

Said swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall: “”Well, we said ‘come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge’ but we weren’t expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple”.
The swim has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and good causes in its 52-year history, and this yeae’s event will see Tenby RNLI as the main beneficiary.

Town mayor Dai Morgan said: ”It’s great to see so many people from here, and for such a good cause. I just love it down on the beach on Boxing Day. The swim is such a fantastic tradition.”
The mayor’s daughter, 18-year-old Erin Morgan, who is Tenby’s town crier, gave a special ‘cry’ to welcome the swim.

Swim chairman Sam supervised 10-year-old Sam Fecci as he fired the swim’s starting pistol – a duty usually carried out by his dad, Stuart, who was not well enough to attend.

Festive tunes and a lively commentary from DJ Steve Briers ramped up the atmosphere on the beach and swimmers emerged from the sea to be presented with commemorative medals and warm up with hot soup donated by the Giltar Hotel and served up by Tenby and District Lions.

‘Taking the plunge’ at a festive swim in Wales this morning meant more than just a dip in the sea for one happy couple.

As hundreds of Boxing Day bathers at the legendary event in Tenby dashed for the water, a magical moment was happening between Victoria Tansey and Philip Frith.
Philip, 34, went down on one knee on the sand and asked Victoria, 37, to marry him.

Fortunately, she said an ecstatic ‘yes’ to the carefully-planned proposal, which saw the couple’s special song Ocean Eyes y Billie Eilish sound out over the beach as the newly-engaged couple celebrated with a splash in the sea.

As a former Royal Marine Philip – who is now a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach – has faced some scary situations in his life but the Boxing Day proposal was up there with the most nail-biting.
“I’ve been so nervous/special moment.

Victoria, originally from Hakin, Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, worked as a professional dancer – appearing on the X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Pineapple Dance Studio: Survival of the Fittest -and before setting up her own entertainment agency.

Although now living in Guildford with Philip, she has always loved returning to her Pembrokeshire roots

“When we first met, Victoria couldn’t wait to show me all around Pembrokeshire and we have made the trip as often as work would allow us, to visit her family, go beach hopping and take in the breathtaking scenery,” said Philip.

“I absolutely love sea swimming, I believe that it is so worthwhile for your body and mind, however Victoria has never been one to enjoy the cold!

“So, on our first Christmas together as a couple, Victoria surprised me by taking me to Tenby for the Boxing Day Swim – it’s honestly one of my most fond memories from the start of our relationship!

“I wanted to return her the favour of surprising her by proposing to her at this year’s swim.”

Victoria’s mum and her childhood best friend , Sean Griffiths – who she set up Milford Haven’s Unison Dance Group with in 2004 –were on the beach to watch the proposal, with Sean bringing along the engagement ring in his pocket to fellow swimmers crowded round to congratulate Victoria and Philip, and swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall laughed: “Well, we said ‘come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge’ but we weren’t expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple”.

Images: Gareth Davies Photography Tenby