News
Senior council officers meet online to review Tier 4 restrictions
SENIOR officers leading Pembrokeshire County Council’s response to the pandemic have met online this morning (Sunday, December 20th) to review the new lockdown restrictions and how they will affect the County.
It follows yesterday’s announcement by the First Minister that Wales would move into alert level four at midnight last night (Saturday December 19th).
“We want to assure everyone that the authority is working hard to ensure that we are keeping our communities safe,” said Cllr David Simpson, Council leader.
“We have processes in place and are working with other key agencies.
“These are unprecedented times, however, we can work through this to ensure we can get back to normal as soon as possible.
“Everyone has a role to play and today we are sending out the request that we all work together, safely, and adhere to the guidance.
“Mixing with others heightens the spread of this virus. Please stay at home, please stay safe.”
The following Council services have been immediately affected by the Tier 4 restrictions:
· Leisure centres – closed until further notice
· Libraries – closed until further notice
· Waste and Recycling Centres – open for pre-booked slots for essential use at present. Officers are liaising with the Welsh Government on future arrangements.
Details of further changes will be announced as soon as possible.
The move into Tier 4 follows worrying evidence of a new highly-infectious strain of coronavirus in Wales and in London and South East England.
The latest information suggests the new strain is present throughout Wales and may be driving the rapid acceleration of the virus seen across Wales over the last few weeks.
Alert level four restrictions were due to come into force over the Christmas period but have been brought forward.
Changes are also being made to the Christmas rules in Wales – in common with changes being made elsewhere in the UK – two households will be able to join together but only on Christmas Day.
“We would urge everyone to adhere strictly to the new rules and exercise the utmost caution in their everyday lives in the interest of their safety and others,” said Cllr Simpson.
The First Minister’s statement is at https://gov.wales/first-minister-statement-19-december
Details of the restrictions under each Tier level can be found at https://gov.wales/covid-19-alert-levels
Crime
Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys
DYFED-POWYS POLICE has announced a significant expansion of its Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams (NPPT), with more officers being deployed to frontline roles where demand is greatest.
From Monday (Mar 16), teams across the force area have been strengthened, with a renewed focus on tackling antisocial behaviour and preventing crime at its source.
The force says the move is aimed at reducing repeat demand by addressing the root causes of offending, rather than simply responding to incidents.
To achieve this, a number of officers have been redeployed from central departments back into frontline policing, while new posts are also being created to bolster capacity.
Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies, head of uniform policing, said: “These changes are about increasing frontline visibility and ensuring we have the right resources in the right places.
“They form part of a wider programme of improvements across the force to enhance effectiveness and efficiency, while also supporting the wellbeing of our officers and staff.
“This is positive news for our communities, who will benefit from stronger neighbourhood teams focused on local priorities and proactive policing.”
The expansion has been made possible through Home Office funding under the Neighbourhood Guarantee scheme, which is designed to strengthen community safety and crime prevention.
Dyfed-Powys Police has been allocated £1.4 million for 2025/26, enabling the recruitment of police staff and freeing up officers previously in support roles to return to operational duties.
As a result, four sergeants and 29 police officers have now been reassigned to neighbourhood teams across the force.
Each NPPT area will also have a named officer, with full team details available via the ‘Your Area’ section of the Dyfed-Powys Police website.
The force has also secured early access to 2026/27 Neighbourhood Guarantee funding, which will see a further 12 officers recruited between April and the autumn—adding to overall officer numbers in the region.
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Neighbourhood policing is about more than numbers—it’s about relationships.
“Greater visibility helps build trust, strengthens community ties, and reassures the public that policing is present, responsive, and committed to keeping people safe.
“I remain committed to improving police visibility across our communities, and these additional officers will help turn that ambition into reality.”
Crime
Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach
Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order
ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.
The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.
The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.
Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.
Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.
He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.
The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.
A pre-sentence report was ordered.
News
Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest
Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply
A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.
Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.
A man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.
The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.
However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
No further details about the deceased have been formally released.
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