News
Dyfed-Powys Police first to capture 360 degree pictures

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are set to be the first police force this side of the Atlantic to embrace new in car camera technology designed by Axon, the global leader in connected law enforcement technologies, and its United Kingdom subsidiary, Axon Public Safety UK Limited, Dyfed-Powys Police are the first force in England and Wales to be equipped to capture a true 360 degree picture of any traffic incident or crime on the roads.
These cameras are the first of their kind in the UK and will allow Dyfed-Powys officers to download vital video evidence directly (via a wireless system) and straight onto the digital evidence management system Axon Evidence (Evidence.com). This state of the art system is set to free up hours of police officer time, with instant digital upload rather than hours spent downloading and burning onto discs to store footage as potential evidence.
The in car camera system – called Axon Fleet 2 – is set to be taken up by forces across England and Wales and carries all the many benefits of Axon’s body-worn cameras which have now been adopted by14 forces in England and Wales.
Importantly for Dyfed-Powys this will mean using the same systems across all camera and evidence equipment meaning a true 360 degree ‘picture’ of any incident as well as huge time and cost savings and a more seamless service. All Dyfed-Powys’ cameras (body-worn and in-car) will sync on playback.
The benefits of Axon Fleet 2 are:
– Streamlined, innovative technology; capturing evidence and freeing up police officer time
– Increased accountability for officers – all incidents captured on camera, helping secure trust from the community
– A cost effective solution, with ‘front and back’ cameras as standard – thus allowing a full 360 degree picture of a specific incident or event
– The technology’s compliance with privacy regulations
Dyfed Powys police are rolling out Axon Fleet 2 across 31 vehicles including both armed response and traffic vehicles. The order for this five-year contract was received in the first quarter of 2019 and was shipped in the second quarter of 2019. This means that Dyfed-Powys are set to be the first force with a fully integrated system of body worn cameras, in car cameras and digital evidence platform. This integration means a seamless process of evidence gathering, streamlining the workflow with wireless upload – making the approach a cost effective one that ensures better working together (interoperability).
Catherine Davies, Project Manager for the introduction of Fleet 2 at Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “The introduction of in-car video within our fleet here at Dyfed-Powys Police means that officers now have yet another pair of eyes at scenes of road traffic collisions and other incidents, live time evidence of motoring offences and evidential footage during pursuits.
“This technology further improves accountability for us as a service and helps to protect our officers during often vulnerable times, when transporting prisoners and patrolling our many, many miles of road alone.”
Crime
Pembroke Dock man to be sentenced for assaulting police officers

A PEMBROKE DOCK man is due to be sentenced on Monday (Mar 31) after admitting to assaulting three police officers and resisting arrest during incidents earlier this month.
Ashley Rickard, aged 27, of Elizabeth Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to four offences when he appeared at court on March 17. Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
The court heard that on March 15, Rickard assaulted PC Morse in Pembroke Dock while the officer was carrying out his duties as an emergency worker. He also assaulted PC Walker and resisted two other officers, PC Cranmer and PC Kendall, during the same incident in Milford Haven.
All of the offences are understood to have taken place on the same day and involved Rickard obstructing and assaulting officers during the course of their work.
Rickard is due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court at 10:00am on Monday for sentencing. The offences carry a maximum penalty of up to 12 months in prison or an unlimited fine.
The Herald will report the outcome of the case following the hearing.
Crime
Milford Haven man faces court hearing for assault on three police officers

A MILFORD HAVEN man is due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 31) facing multiple charges, including the assault of three emergency workers and possession of an offensive weapon.
Adam Williams, 37, of Richard John Road, is facing charges relating to an incident on March 16 in which he is accused of possessing a craft knife in a public place without lawful authority, contrary to the Prevention of Crime Act 1953.
Williams is also charged with three counts of assaulting emergency workers—Police Sergeant 408 Benbow, PC 944 Lee, and PC 764 Mycroft—who were reportedly acting in the course of their duties at the time of the incident.
In addition, Williams is facing a charge of using a motor vehicle without third-party insurance, said to have occurred on Richard John Road on the same date.
The case was adjourned earlier this month for a reports to be prepared.
Williams is expected to return to court at 10:00am on Monday.
Business
Tree-mendous work helping to improve the condition of our rivers

OVER 24,000 trees have been planted along the banks of four south Wales rivers to help reduce nutrient pollution, improve water quality and help protect nature.
The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Four Rivers for LIFE project has been busy this tree planting season on the Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk Rivers.
In partnership with organisations like the National Trust, West Wales Rivers Trust, County Councils and contractors a total of 24,160 native trees have been planted with the aim of reducing nutrient pollution, improving water quality and helping to protect nature.
The trees will soak up excess nutrients from agricultural land run off, improve downstream water quality and provide habitat for wildlife.
The corridors of trees, averaging 10metres in width, act as buffer strips between farmland and the river and have been planted on land that has been fenced to create riparian strips.
Robert Thomas, Four Rivers for LIFE Land Management Officer said: “As the trees mature they will act as an important filter, reducing the amount of excess nutrients reaching the rivers, helping to improve the overall condition of these special rivers.”
As well as providing benefits to the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) river, in time as the trees mature and grow, they will stabilise riverbanks, reduce erosion and soil loss to the river, provide shelter for livestock and shade the river, keeping the water cool for fish.
Simon Rose, Woodland Project Ranger at National Trust Brecon Beacons said: “We have been delighted to work alongside NRW’s Four Rivers for LIFE team and the Woodland Trust at Ty Mawr Farm. This collaborative effort exemplifies the very objectives we seek to achieve through ongoing engagement with volunteer and corporate groups, students from Black Mountains College, and staff from similar organisations on team-building days.”
“Together, we are planting trees and hedgerows that will provide essential food sources and create connected woodlands, fostering the growth of wildlife and the flourishing of habitats.”
The Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk Rivers are classed as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), meaning they are of international importance for the wildlife and plants that make them home, such as salmon, lamprey, shad, otters and water crowfoot.
The Four Rivers for LIFE Project is funded by the EU LIFE Programme with support from Welsh Government and Welsh Water.
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