Crime

Crime Commissioner addresses the challenges of rebuilding trust and confidence in policing

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2023

POLICING by consent was the topic of discussion at Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn’s annual St David’s Conference this year, which took place on Friday 3 March 2023 at Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters in Carmarthen.

Policing by consent, which is the theory behind the Peelian principles that were designed to define an ethical police force, is heavily reliant on public confidence. Addressing today’s challenges of rebuilding public trust and confidence, is essential to safeguard a legitimate future for policing according to PCC Llywelyn.

Public confidence and trust in our policing services today is amongst its lowest ever. High profile cases, such as the murders of Sarah Everard here in the UK, and George Floyd in the U.S, to name but two, has cast a light on what appears to be a culture of misogyny, racism, and corruption within policing.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said; “I recently heard a highly regarded and dedicated senior police officer speaking publicly that he has never been so embarrassed and ashamed of working for the Police, despite some of the excellent work that is taking place is some areas of policing.

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“Rebuilding public confidence in our policing service is essential if we are to safeguard a legitimate future for policing. This cannot be done overnight. It will take years, but it’s our responsibility, and we need to address the challenges, today.

“I was joined this year, by renowned national experts and academics as guest speakers, who will shine a light on these challenges and the work that is undergoing to address them”.

Guest speakers who were talking about today’s challenges included:

Professor Richard Wyn Jones and Dr. Robert Jones, who have recently published a book Criminal Justice in Wales: On the Jagged Edge’;
Professor Emmanuel Ogbonna, who worked with both Welsh Government and Criminal Justice in Wales Board on their Anti Racist Action Plans;
Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, who is now working for the College of Policing and is the National Police Chief Constables’ lead on violence against women and girls;
Dr. Nerys Llewelyn Jones who was a Commissioner on the Law Commission which was chaired by Lord Thomas of Cwmgeidd – The Thomas Commission, which undertook a review of the justice system in Wales
This will be PCC Dafydd Llywelyn’s seventh annual St David’s Conference, with previous conferences focusing on Coercive Control (2017); Mental Health in Policing (2018); Cyber-Crime (2019); Rural Crime (2020), Victims (2021), Anti-Social Behaviour (2022).

The Conference, which took place at Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters in Carmarthen, has over 130 guests attending either in person or virtual. PCC Llywelyn concluded; “I am looking forward to welcoming all to the conference this year, where we will face challenging and honest statements, as we consider, where do we go from here”.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

Crime

Sex offender jailed for breaching court order

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.

Crime

Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.

Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.

If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods: