News

Police and Crime Commissioner wants Penally Asylum Centre closed immediately

Published

5 years ago

March 9, 2021

THE POLICE and Crime Commissioner, Mr Dafydd Llywelyn, is today calling for the immediate closure of the asylum accommodation in Penally, Pembrokeshire following a damning inspection report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) and the independent chief inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI).

As well as a lack of Covid protection, fire safety and living conditions concerns, the inspectors found that managers lacked the experience and skills to run large-scale communal accommodation and the Home Office did not exercise adequate oversight. The report also reveals that many residents at the centre said they had mental health problems.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn told The Herald in a written statement: “Following this independent report, and its damning verdict, I am calling for the immediate closure of the asylum centre at Penally, Pembrokeshire.

“I have been in continuous condemnation of the Home Office’s decision to use the camp to house asylum seekers since September last year, and my concerns are vindicated following the Independent Inspector’s initial findings that have been published this week.

“I have seen first-hand the difficult circumstances encountered by individuals residing at the centre. In January, I met with David Bolt, the Chief Inspector of Asylum and Immigration, who reassured me at the time that this independent inspection of the Centre would take place.

“I am now pleased that the report findings highlight the concerns and fears that myself and other local stakeholder have raised with the Home Office on several occasions.

“The lack of strategic planning around the use of camp since September 2020, as well as the lack of community engagement has been extremely frustrating. This has led to unnecessary pressure being put on local resources at a time when we are trying to protect our communities from a global pandemic.

“I am now calling on the Home Office to make alternative arrangements and that we see the closure of the Penally Centre once and for all”.

In a statement released on Tuesday (Mar 9) Plaid Cymru also said Penally Camp should be shut down immediately and have asked local MP Simon Hart to resign.

In a statement, the party said Mr Hart, also Welsh Secretary, should ‘consider his position’ due to ‘his failure to resolve conditions in the camp and consult with local people’

The Plaid comments, made by prospective Plaid Cymru candidate in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Cefin Campbell follow a damning report on conditions in the camp by The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons, describing it as run-down, impoverished, and filthy.

Cefin Campbell said: “These people should not have been located at Penally in the first place. It was a rush job by the Home Office, which resulted in local alarm and degrading conditions for the camp residents. It also caused conflict outside the camp which was a drain on police resources. By keeping everyone in the dark, the UK Government created a dire situation which caused grief all round.

“It’s quite incredible that local MP Simon Hart, a Minister in the UK Government, was not told of plans to house asylum seekers in his constituency by his own cabinet colleagues. It shows that Wales is treated with contempt by the Tory Government in London.

“Throughout this sorry saga, Mr Hart has failed dismally to cope with the situation in Penally, within and without the camp, both as a local MP and Secretary of State for Wales. Due to his failure to be up-front with his constituents and the obvious contempt towards his post as Secretary of State by the Tory Government, he should seriously consider his position. If he can’t influence events of this magnitude in his own constituency what hope is there of Wales benefitting on a wider scale?”

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

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.