News

Homelessness charity marks Trustees Week with recruitment drive

Published

2 years ago

November 15, 2023

PATH (Pembrokeshire Action for The Homeless) – Pembrokeshire’s leading homelessness support charity has marked Trustees Week by launching a hunt for new board members.

All registered charities have a board of trustees, responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the organisation and as PATH enters a new phase of expansion, thanks to some major grant-funding, it is seeking committed volunteers to bring their expertise and experience to its operations.

PATH has recently been awarded more than £1million in total from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (Levelling-Up Funding); from the Postcode Lottery and from Nationwide Building Society’s Community Grants fund.

The money will fund a Numeracy Project, to support those at risk of homelessness retain their tenancies by improving their maths and budgeting skills and a Mental Health Counselling project including a Conflict Resolution Service to support PATH’s clients and frontline staff.

The PATH Board of Trustees would welcome new trustees with a variety of professional experience – and especially anyone with lived experience of being homeless.

Said Michael Hooper, PATH’s Managing Director: This is a very exciting time for PATH. As well as our work supporting and advising people who are homeless and at risk of homelessness – including helping people find accommodation through Pathways Lettings, our social lettings agency, the new grant funding means we are expanding our operations in new and innovative directions, so it’s a great time for anyone who wants to give something back to Pembrokeshire and support a really worthwhile cause to get involved.”

Trustees are all volunteers, who give between two and six hours a month to support and develop the work of the charity. Information about PATH and about applying to be a trustee can be found at www.pathpembrokeshire.co.uk

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

4 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

4 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.