YOUNG people across the Dyfed-Powys area are being encouraged to share their views on crime, safety and policing through a new survey launched by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Youth Ambassadors.

The survey is open to people aged 14 to 25 living in the Dyfed-Powys policing area and has been designed by the Youth Ambassadors as part of their new Future Youth Project.

It aims to capture the experiences, opinions and concerns of young people, helping to ensure their voices are heard in future decision-making, services and policing priorities.

The findings will be used to shape work aimed at better supporting young people and tackling the issues that matter most to them.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Your opinion really does matter.

“I encourage all young people to take part in this survey. Young people’s feedback is essential in helping my Youth Ambassadors, my Office and Dyfed-Powys Police gather the opinions and concerns of our young people living in our communities.

“Let’s continue to work together to keep Dyfed-Powys safe for young people.”

The initiative places young people at the centre of the process and highlights the importance of youth voice in influencing positive change within communities.

Participants will also have the chance to enter a prize draw to win a Swansea City AFC shirt signed by Gonçalo Franco. The winner will be announced in September.

The survey is quick to complete and closes on September 25, 2026.

It can be completed here: https://forms.office.com/e/Fdf1aLyqZX?origin=lprLink

Image: Martin Cavaney

Animal Aid condemns rise in use of birds, dogs, cats and primates despite overall fall in procedures

MORE than 2.5 million scientific procedures involving living animals were carried out in Great Britain last year, according to newly published Home Office figures.

The annual statistics, published today, show that 2.54 million procedures took place in 2025. The Home Office said this was down from 2.64 million the previous year and was the lowest total recorded under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

However, animal welfare campaigners have warned that the headline fall masks troubling increases in the use of several species, including birds, dogs, cats and non-human primates.

Animal Aid said the figures showed that 2.46 million animals were used in procedures for the first time in 2025. The charity said birds rose by 14%, making them the third most-used group of animals in experimental procedures for the first time.

The number of procedures involving dogs increased by 9%, cats by 11%, non-human primates by 15%, and horses by 5%.

The Home Office figures show that 1,845 primates were used for the first time in 2025, including 1,755 cynomolgus monkeys. There were also 2,889 procedures involving dogs, most of them for regulatory purposes.

Animal Aid also highlighted the use of rabbits, pigs, beagles and rats in regulatory testing, including toxicity and safety testing. The charity said 5,284 rabbits, 2,355 pigs and 125,202 rats were used in laboratories last year.

The group said 11,213 procedures involved LD50 or LC50 testing, methods designed to assess the dose or concentration of a substance that proves lethal to a proportion of animals.

The Home Office report said 1.32 million procedures were carried out for experimental purposes in 2025, making up 52% of all procedures. A further 1.22 million involved the creation and breeding of genetically altered animals.

According to the official statistics, 95% of all procedures involved mice, fish, birds or rats. Specially protected species, which include cats, dogs, horses and non-human primates, accounted for around 1% of experimental procedures.

The Home Office said 99% of experimental procedures were assessed as non-recovery, sub-threshold, mild or moderate in severity, with the remaining 1% assessed as severe.

But Animal Aid said the figures still represented “animal suffering on an industrial scale” and called for faster action to move away from animal experiments.

Alex Harman, campaign manager at Animal Aid, said: “The reality of what happens to these sentient individuals inside British laboratories is an absolute betrayal of compassion.

“To force terrified monkeys into restraint chairs, slice deep wounds into the backs of pigs, and pump toxins into the stomachs of young beagles is a form of industrialised torture that should have been left in the dark ages.

“Behind every single statistic in this report is a hidden victim who lived a short life of terror.”

Michelle Masterton-Smith, head of campaigns at Animal Aid, said: “These figures represent animal suffering on an industrial scale. Behind every number is an animal who suffered unseen by the public.

“In the wake of April’s shocking toxicity testing exposé, today’s statistics are a stark reminder that millions of animals continue to remain trapped in British laboratories, while the move away from animal experiments remains far too slow.”

Dr Emma Grange, Director of Science and Regulatory Affairs at Cruelty Free International, said:

“With 2.54 million uses of animals in British laboratories in 2025, a meagre 4% decrease from 2024, the rate of decline remains painfully slow. We ask that the government now start to show the sort of bold leadership and ambition promised in its strategy, and takes the opportunities it created for early wins, which are always crucial to the success of any long-running plans. A change in prime Minister must be taken as an opportunity to boost delivery and speed up progress.

“Taking definitive action now could mean that this is one of the last years where the use of animals is anywhere near this level. The British public are ready for animal testing to end and, with a combination of political leadership and scientific development, this can be delivered. The focus must be on the transition to exclusive use of non-animal scientific methods, some of which have already been shown to perform at least as well, or better, than tests on animals. Any cruel animal test is one too many and we will continue to fight for zero animal experiments in Great Britain.”

The latest figures come amid renewed political pressure over the use of animals in research.

An Early Day Motion tabled on June 29 by Neil Duncan-Jordan MP calls for a halt to all new service licences, a review of existing licences, and urgent delivery of the Government’s Replacing Animals in Science Strategy.

Animal Aid, founded in 1977, campaigns for an end to animal experiments and the replacement of animal research with modern, human-relevant non-animal methods.

Major milestone reached in project to transform historic gaol building into flagship visitor attraction

A MAJOR milestone has been reached in the redevelopment of Haverfordwest Castle, with the new roof now lifted into place on the historic gaol building inside the castle walls.

Morgan Sindall Construction is carrying out the work on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council as part of the wider project to rejuvenate the castle site and create a flagship visitor attraction for the county.

The Grade II listed former gaol, which is more than 200 years old and covers around 800 square metres, has undergone major structural work, including a full replacement of its two-level roof and measures to stabilise the core of the building.

Once complete, the building will tell the story of Pembrokeshire across three floors of interactive, hands-on and immersive exhibits.

The redevelopment will also include a new café serving locally sourced food, a shop selling local and bespoke products, free-to-access grounds with new interpretation of the site, and a 500-seat outdoor events space for community events, fairs and markets during the summer months.

The main section of the gaol building has been fitted with a replacement timber frame and slate tiles, while a cladding system has been used over the lower section. Zinc cladding has also been incorporated to bring the building up to modern standards while respecting its historic setting.

Other work already completed includes repairs to the thick stone walls, the careful removal of non-heritage debris, and the installation of new drainage and flooring.

Because Haverfordwest Castle is a Scheduled Monument, preservation work on the site is carefully controlled by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service. The castle’s original walls, which date back to the 1120s, are being strengthened and repointed by specialist contractors.

The project forms part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s £17.7m levelling-up programme, funded by the UK Government.

Extensive archaeological excavations have also taken place in the castle’s Inner Bailey. Drainage has been replaced, new accessible footpaths have been created, and landscaping work is underway. When the site reopens, the Inner Bailey will be used as a flexible outdoor space for events, open-air theatre and markets.

Morgan Sindall said sustainability has been a key part of the project. The contractor has taken part in its 10 Tonne Carbon Challenge, working with its supply chain to reduce emissions by at least 10 tonnes. The project has already exceeded that target, with a reported saving of 230.5 tonnes of CO₂ across four stages, equivalent to heating 86 UK homes for a year.

Stonework debris removed from the site has also been reused rather than sent to landfill. It was donated to Walters Group, a local civil engineering company, and much of it has been used to repair parts of Castle Back steps, improving the link between the castle and Haverfordwest town centre.

Sections of roofing that were still structurally sound have been recycled and chipped for use as bedding at local horse training facilities. A 1960s hardwood staircase, formerly part of the archives, has been stored off site by the Pembrokeshire Supported Employment Programme, which will turn it into furniture for the new café.

Morgan Sindall said it has also focused on creating social value locally. Eight local businesses have been employed on the project so far, including Haverfordwest firms Coe Stone and SJB, which have been involved in conservation work including stone cleaning and repairs.

Project partners include AtkinsRéalis, Roger Casey Associates and DB3 Architects.

Ten apprentices have worked on the scheme, while five young people have been given work experience placements through Pembrokeshire College and Futureworks. Students from Pembrokeshire College, Swansea University, Coleg Sir Gâr and local primary schools have also visited the site to learn more about careers in construction.

Young “Castle Ambassadors” will continue to be involved in the next phase of the project, helping to shape parts of the exhibition and schools activity programme.

Morgan Sindall has also donated money and supplies to The Men’s Shed, a charity based near the castle grounds which helps reduce loneliness and isolation by bringing people together to recycle and repair furniture and other items. A donation has also been made to a local woodturning club.

Rob Williams, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Wales, said: “It has been a real responsibility and privilege to work with Pembrokeshire County Council on delivering such a nationally significant project.

“We work on a lot of heritage projects and have developed a clear and robust process to ensure that we protect these incredibly important buildings and give them a new lease of life.

“Haverfordwest Castle and its grounds will deliver so much more value to the local community and visiting tourists than just being a historical landmark once the project is completed.

“The structure of the castle itself will be more secure, it will have an event space, and now the roof has successfully been completed, a visitor centre which lives and breathes history. All of which will be fully accessible to everyone.”

Cllr Thomas Tudor, county councillor for Haverfordwest’s Castle Ward, said: “Haverfordwest Castle is without doubt the jewel in the crown for the county town of Pembrokeshire, and I am so pleased that the redevelopment of the castle is gaining momentum.

“It is brilliant news that Morgan Sindall Construction has reached a key milestone in the project to rejuvenate Haverfordwest Castle, with the new roof now in place.

“The future is looking very positive for Haverfordwest, which can be enjoyed by tourists and residents alike.”

The project is due to be completed in summer 2027.

Suggested photo caption:
New heights: The replacement roof structure being lifted into place at Haverfordwest Castle as work continues on the former gaol building.