News
Young people to shape the future of policing

POLICE and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, Dafydd Llywelyn, this week launches a consultation (Jan 6), in collaboration with Hafan Cymru and Hywel Dda Health Board, which will seek young people’s views on policing and crime, and ensure that the opinion of young people is heard. Hywel Dda Health Board and the Police and Crime Commissioner decided to work together on this youth engagement project so that health and policing work together more closely to give young people a voice.
The PCC commissioned Hafan Cymru in September to further develop his understanding of young people’s views on policing and crime. This builds upon the existing work of his Youth Forum, established in 2018.
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Engaging with young people is a passion of mine, and I always enjoy listening to young people and encouraging them to influence my work as Commissioner. In addition to visiting youth groups and schools across the region, the past 12 months has seen my Youth Forum develop significantly. I made the decision to commission Hafan Cymru to work alongside my Youth Forum so that we can reach out and hear the views of more young people, especially the harder to reach. And to make this as meaningful as possible, I asked Hywel Dda Health Board to work with me on youth engagement too, to make sure we’re working more closely to effectively hear what young people have to say. We are delighted to work alongside experienced local practitioners, and I am excited today to launch our youth consultation which we hope will enable hundreds of young people to participate, the results of which will help inform the future relationship between young people and the police”.
Leigh Martin, Hafan Cymru added: “Hafan Cymru are very excited to be working with the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner on this important Project to understand what young people need from the police now and in the future.”
Nicola O’Sullivan, Head of Engagement at Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “It is important that young people have the opportunity to have their voices heard so we are delighted to be working in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner and Hafan Cymru to better understand the issues faced by young people, some of which span across both health and policing.”
The youth consultation will be in the form on an online survey and focus groups with schools, youth groups, and harder to reach young people. The consultation results will be shared in a Youth Conference in March 2020. The age range for the survey is 14 – 25 year olds.
If you work with young people aged 14 – 25 in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion or Powys, you can access the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/einllais If you would like Hafan Cymru to talk to youth groups in your area, please get in touch with Hafan Cymru on 01267 225563.
Crime
Goodwick man jailed for stealing prescription tablets from partner

A 47-year-old man from Goodwick has been sentenced to jail after admitting to stealing his partner’s prescription medication.
Andrew Gibbs, of Allt Y Carne, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he admitted taking four Pregabalin tablets from his long-term girlfriend on February 14.
Prosecuting, Alycia Carpanini told the court that Gibbs had taken the tablets while drinking in the living room earlier that day. He was arrested later that evening on unrelated matters, and officers found the medication in his possession.
During his arrest, Gibbs admitted aloud to police that he had stolen the tablets. He later confirmed the theft in a prepared statement during interview.
The court heard that Gibbs has a lengthy criminal history, with 35 previous convictions covering 68 offences. He had previously faced a series of serious allegations, including actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation against his partner, as well as two further assaults. However, those charges were dropped after the complainants chose not to support the prosecution.
In mitigation, defence barrister Dan Griffiths said his client had been cooperative with police from the outset and had already spent time in custody since his arrest.
Judge Paul Thomas KC imposed a 14-day custodial sentence for the theft, acknowledging the time Gibbs had already spent on remand. He will be released shortly under supervision.
Community
PCSOs and pupils join forces for Pembroke Dock litter pick

DYFED-POWYS POLICE Community Support Officers (PCSOs) 8042 and 8020 joined staff at McDonald’s and Year 5 and 6 pupils from Cosheston VC School for a community litter pick around Pembroke Dock.
As part of the school’s ongoing environmental project, the pupils helped collect seven bags of rubbish while keeping a detailed log of the types of litter found.
PCSOs are uniformed civilian members of police staff who work to support regular police officers and engage with the community. Their involvement helped promote positive relationships between local police and young people.
The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of looking after the local environment and encouraged children to take pride in their community.
Members of the public are reminded to dispose of their waste responsibly and use the bins provided.

Community
Joyce Watson meets apprentices at Haverfordwest transport hub

A VISIT to the site of the new Haverfordwest public transport interchange has highlighted the role of apprentices and skilled workers in delivering the major infrastructure project.
Joyce Watson MS, who represents Mid and West Wales in the Senedd, toured the construction site on Friday (Mar 21), meeting with workers and hearing how the scheme is creating opportunities for local people.
Mrs Watson, who chairs the Senedd cross-party group on construction and co-chairs the cross-party group on apprenticeships, was briefed on progress by Kier Construction’s project manager Dean Williams and Sheila Holmes, engagement adviser for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Speaking following the visit, Mrs Watson said: “The Haverfordwest public transport interchange will transform the town’s transportation infrastructure and boost the local economy.
“With around a year’s work still to go, it’s already offering high-quality job opportunities, and I was delighted to meet the talented apprentices working on-site.”
Among those she met was Matthew Thomas, a local trainee working on the project.
Mrs Watson added: “It was a pleasure to meet Matthew, and I believe he has a great future ahead of him.”
Dean Williams, from Kier Construction, said: “It was great to welcome Joyce Watson MS for a tour of our Haverfordwest public transport interchange project. This scheme for Pembrokeshire County Council will deliver a modern transport hub for the local community, improving connectivity and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.”
CITB’s Sheila Holmes added: “We are pleased to be supporting Kier Construction in developing their supply chain for this infrastructure scheme. By doing so, we can invest in local skills, which are vital to the sector and to the regional economy. Projects like this help ensure we meet future skills demands.”
The interchange is part of the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro programme and has so far received nearly £17 million from the Welsh Government’s Local Transport Fund.
Once completed, the new facility will include improved pedestrian and cycle access, a more efficient bus station with seven bays and upgraded passenger facilities, and a modern multi-storey car park.
The scheme is commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council as part of its town centre regeneration strategy.
The visit was organised as part of Open Doors, a national initiative by Build UK that takes visitors behind the scenes at live construction sites to showcase the range of careers in the industry.
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