News

Potential fraud victims saved from losing half a million pounds

Published

6 years ago

November 28, 2018

POTENTIAL scam victims living in the Dyfed-Powys Police area have been saved from losing more than half a million pounds in just one year thanks to a fraud prevention scheme.

The ground-breaking Banking Protocol enables bank staff to contact police if they suspect a customer is in the process of being scammed, with a rapid response directed to the branch.

The scheme was launched in the autumn of 2016 as a way of identifying and protecting potential fraud victims when they visit a bank or building society. Dyfed-Powys Police joined in 2017 and has since received 49 calls for service from banks and building societies across the force.

In the past year, the protocol has prevented a loss of £561,520, and has allowed officers to identify 32 previously unknown vulnerable victims.

Paul Callard, of the Dyfed-Powys Police Financial Crime Team, said: “We know that the most vulnerable in our communities are being targeted and defrauded by heartless criminals, using a variety of methods.

“A common method for fraud offences to be carried out is by encouraging victims to go to their bank, building society or Post Office to withdraw cash or transfer money out of their account.

“Through the Banking Protocol, bank and building society staff can contact us directly if they have any concerns about someone withdrawing large amounts of money, or attempting an unusual transaction.

“We are able to identify and protect potential fraud victims, and by working in partnership with the finance industry and Trading Standards we can really make a difference and protect the most vulnerable.

“Thanks to the Banking Protocol we have succeeded in preventing over £500,000 being lost to fraudsters since autumn 2017 in Dyfed-Powys alone, and prevented the victimisation of some of the most susceptible.

“This is a testament to the impact that can be directly attributed to the Banking Protocol, and we are excited to see further positive success stories as we move forward.”

News

Storage container fire in Newcastle Emlyn

Published

14 mins ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AT11:48am on Friday (Jan 24), Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Llandysul and Carmarthen fire stations were called to a fire in Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn.

The fire involved a 40-foot by 8-foot storage container and was confined to a generator inside. Firefighters used a hose reel jet, two breathing apparatus sets, a thermal imaging camera, and a positive pressure ventilation fan to extinguish the blaze.

Crews remained on site to dampen down the area before departing at 12:57pm.

Crime

Pembrokeshire man accused of assault and perverting justice remanded in custody

Published

15 mins ago

January 24, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man accused of assaulting a woman has been remanded in custody after allegedly offering her money to drop the charges.

Lohan Chapman, 19, of Primrose Close, Neyland, is accused of intentionally strangling a female during an alleged incident in Milford Haven on August 1, 2024, and of assaulting her by beating. He denies both charges.

This week, Haverfordwest Magistrates Court heard that Chapman was remanded in custody on January 18 after being accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice by offering his alleged victim an undisclosed sum of money to withdraw the charges.

District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction in all three matters.

Chapman, who appeared via video link from Swansea Prison, will now face trial at Swansea Crown Court on February 17.

He was remanded in custody pending his appearance.

News

Milford Haven man faces violent and sexual offence charges

Published

29 mins ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN man has been charged with a series of violent and sexual offences, including allegations of threatening to share intimate images.

Nathan Clark, 30, of Larch Road, faces eight charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred over the past year.

The charges include allegations of controlling or coercive behaviour against a woman in Haverfordwest between early 2024 and January 2 of this year. Clark is also accused of sexual assault by penetration, which is alleged to have occurred between June 30 and August 1.

Among the charges, Clark is accused of threatening to share intimate pictures and videos of a woman. This offence is said to have taken place between December 3 and January 2.

Additionally, he faces charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, and criminal damage on Christmas Day, as well as further charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage on New Year’s Eve.

The case was heard at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on January 3, where it was sent to Swansea Crown Court for further proceedings.

Clark was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear on February 3 to enter his pleas.