News

Port sponsors sailing qualifications for local school pupils

Published

5 years ago

July 29, 2021

OVER twenty school pupils from Pembrokeshire have achieved sailing qualifications and gained confidence on the water following sponsorship from the Port of Milford Haven.

The Port recently partnered with Pembrokeshire Performance Sailing Academy (PPSA) to offer students from St Florence VC School and Golden Grove School in Pembroke the opportunity to complete their Youth Sailing Stage 1 Certificates.

Based at Pembroke Dock’s Llanion Cove, PPSA provides a range of RYA dinghy and multihull sailing courses, powerboat courses and some shore-based training. With the Port’s funding, they have been able to run youth sailing courses for twenty-four students – twelve from St Florence VC school and twelve from Golden Grove School.

The Port of Milford Haven and PPSA have worked together on the Waterway for a number of years and are committed to giving more people the opportunity to enjoy the marine environment in a fun, educated and safe way.

Sara Aicken from the Port with PPSA instructors and students from
Golden Grove School

Richard Owens, Chief Instructor from PPSA, commented: “It’s been great to see the children from St Florence and Golden Grove schools participate in the RYA’s ‘On Board’ scheme over the past six weeks. The scheme is a fantastic way to introduce young people to sailing and is proven to have a profound and positive effect on their lives. Life skills learned through sailing transfer from the water to the classroom and beyond. These range from confidence, teamwork and leadership to problem solving and adapting to new and different situations. We hope to be able to expand and deliver more of these opportunities in the coming months and years.”

PR and Communications Executive for the Port of Milford Haven, Sara Aicken, added: “The Waterway is a fantastic place to learn new skills and enjoy the great outdoors. Although the water is all around us it isn’t always accessible to everyone, but we’re delighted that investment in these training courses has enabled over twenty young people to experience new activities and learn important safety lessons.”

For more information about the courses that PPSA offers visit www.ppsa.co.uk

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.