News
Pensioner’s Cannabis Charges
A PEMBROKE DOCK pensioner said today he would put forward a human rights defence to charges of growing, supplying and possessing cannabis.
Eric Stanley Mann, aged 71, represented himself during a plea and case management hearing before Judge Huw Davies at Swansea crown court.
He denied supplying cannabis between June 1 and October 10, 2013, producing cannabis plants, possessing cannabis with intent to supply and possessing cannabis.
Mann said he would argue a public interest defence based on the Human Rights Act.
Mann, of Harbour Way, was granted bail until his trial starting on December 9.
News
Search stood down after concern for people at Cefn Sidan beach
A MULTI-agency search at Cefn Sidan beach has been stood down after police said officers were satisfied there was no risk of harm or danger.
Dyfed-Powys Police received a call at around 9:50pm on Monday (June 8) reporting two people dressed in dark clothing waving a torch near the water’s edge at Pembrey.
Police and partner agencies searched the beach and nearby area overnight, but no one was found.
In an update issued on Tuesday (June 9), the force said the information had been reviewed and officers were satisfied that there was no danger, although the original call had been made with good intent.
No further calls of concern have been received, and no missing persons have been reported in the area.
Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We always take reports of this nature seriously and we want to thank the public for their vigilance. Thank you to our partners for their assistance overnight.”
Picture: File photo
News
Claire Archibald secures review of Milford Haven train times
RURAL TRANSPORT CONCERNS RAISED WITH TFW
CLAIRE ARCHIBALD MS has secured a review of train times between Milford Haven and Haverfordwest after raising concerns about rural transport links with Transport for Wales.
The Reform UK Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Penfro met senior TfW representatives to discuss public transport across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, including the impact poor services can have on workers, families, patients and rural communities.
Ms Archibald said public transport must be treated as a key part of any discussion about rural healthcare, employment and access to services.
During the meeting, she raised wider concerns about healthcare access across west Wales. She said she does not support rural communities losing local health services, but warned that any proposal requiring patients, relatives or carers to travel further must properly consider whether public transport is available and practical.
People travelling between Aberystwyth and south west Wales can currently face journeys of around three hours each way by bus, making it difficult for families visiting loved ones in hospital or attending important appointments.
Ms Archibald said: “Rural communities cannot be treated as an afterthought. If services are moved further away, then the question has to be asked: how are patients, families and carers actually meant to get there?
“I do not support the loss of local health services in rural Wales. But where any proposals could mean people travelling further, public transport must be part of the decision from the very beginning. It is not good enough to centralise services and then leave families facing impossible journeys.
“For many people in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, a three-hour bus journey each way is simply not realistic. These are not abstract policy issues. They affect people trying to visit relatives in hospital, get to work, reach appointments and live their daily lives.”
Ms Archibald also raised concerns about the Milford Haven to Haverfordwest train service, where the current timetable is not suitable for many working people.
The morning train arrives in Haverfordwest too late for those who need to be at work by 9:00am, while return options around the end of the working day are also impractical for many commuters.
Reform UK councillor Scott Thorley had previously raised the issue with Transport for Wales, highlighting the number of people travelling into Haverfordwest for work and the pressure this places on already busy roads.
Following the meeting, TfW agreed to review the Milford Haven to Haverfordwest timetable, with a view to making the service more practical for workers and helping to reduce congestion in Haverfordwest.
Ms Archibald added: “This is exactly the kind of practical issue that matters to people locally. A train service is only useful if the timetable works for real life.
“People in Milford Haven and the surrounding area should be able to use the train to get to work in Haverfordwest. If the timing means they still have to drive, then the service is not doing what it needs to do.
“I am pleased Transport for Wales has agreed to review the timetable, and I will be following this closely. Rural transport needs to work for working people, not just look acceptable on paper.”
Transport for Wales also confirmed that the new Class 197 fleet for the Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury Cambrian Line is scheduled for September or October.
Ms Archibald said she would continue working with TfW to push for better transport links across Ceredigion Penfro.
She said: “Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion need transport links that reflect the reality of rural life. Whether it is getting to work, reaching hospital, visiting family or accessing essential services, people need reliable and practical options.
“I will continue to raise these issues and work with Transport for Wales to ensure Ceredigion Penfro has suitable transport.”
Crime
PCC review calls for stronger youth crime prevention work
REPORT MAKES 13 RECOMMENDATIONS
A REVIEW into crime and anti-social behaviour services for young adults has called for stronger prevention work, better promotion of support services, and clearer evidence of what works.
The Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s Select Committee examined intervention, prevention and engagement services for young adults aged 18 to 25.
The review gathered evidence from young people, partner agencies, an open call for evidence, internal scrutiny work, and a hearing attended by police and local authority representatives.
As a result, the committee has made 13 recommendations, which have now been shared with relevant partners.
They include calls for services to place greater emphasis on social and emotional skills and healthy relationships, and for Dyfed-Powys Police to consider producing a Strategic Profile of crime and anti-social behaviour committed by 18 to 25-year-olds.
The committee also recommends that partner organisations do more to promote intervention, prevention and engagement services for young adults, so that professionals and communities know what help is available.
Other recommendations include sharing evaluation findings between local authority areas, updating police data dashboards to include age-group information, and demonstrating the impact of police prevention work to young adults.
The report also calls for scrutiny of problem-orientated policing plans to assess the effectiveness of mental health services, and for police to seek assurance that Outcome 22 is being used effectively.
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “My Select Committee has been able to give an important area a spotlight through our work and to present hopefully impactful recommendations to partners.
“We have listened to young adults’ voices throughout this process, which has been key in developing the recommendations around services which may directly affect them and their peers.
“One of my Youth Ambassadors sat on the Select Committee, and his perspective, alongside that of all other members, was invaluable.
“Thank you to all who have been involved in this review. Diolch yn fawr.”
The full report is available on the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s website.
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