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Crime

Police and Crime Commissioner announces policing precept level for 2024-25

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POLICE and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has today (26 January 2024) confirmed the police precept for 2024/25 following a meeting of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel.

The Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for setting the budget for the police, which includes setting the precept which is the element of council tax that goes to the police.

After a process of extensive scrutiny, Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel unanimously supported the Commissioner’s precept proposal for 2024/25, which will increase the average band D property by 6.2%, or £19.38 per annum which is approximately £1.62 per month.

In setting the precept, Mr Llywelyn considers an array of factors, including inflation and cost pressures, the level of reserves, service demands, future investment requirements for critical infrastructure, efficiency and productivity plans, in addition to feedback from residents and businesses of the Dyfed-Powys area.

In November 2023 and, as a consequence of severe financial challenges, Welsh Government announced that their manifesto pledge to fund 600 Police Community Support (PCSOs) across Wales, was no longer possible.  All Forces were requested to immediately pause recruitment. This will mean significant reductions in future grant funding.  Clearly, PCSOs are an integral and important part of neighbourhood policing and much valued resource by communities. The cuts raise a number of operational risks and financial concerns.

New budgets: Some of the increase in council tax will go towards the police

Furthermore, Welsh Government also notified policing in mid-December 2023, that the totality of funding for the All-Wales Schools programme (£0.3m) would be withdrawn from 1st April 2024. 

The decision to cease funding for this program, as well as significant reductions to PCSO funding would leave an exceptional void that should be addressed locally to ensure the safety of our communities, ensuring positive engagement of our children and young people.

This decision to raise the precept level by 6.2% aims to address the pressing need to safeguard vital aspects of community policing initiatives and to counteract the impact of withdrawn government funding.

As part of the last HMIC PEEL inspection, a number of observations were made in relation to the Force’s call handling arrangements which also reflected community concerns. The precept increase will allow the Force to address some of the concerns, by investing in staff and technology within the Force Control Centre, so that Dyfed-Powys Police are able to respond effectively and efficiently to growing demands. This area of business, which for many is the first point of contact, is assessed as being the priority of the Force, and is critical to ensure the accessibility of services for the public.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn told the Pembrokeshire Herald: “We understand the burden that any increase in precept places on taxpayers.

“However, this decision is driven by the critical need to sustain essential services, ensure accessibility and visibility, particularly in the face of reduced government support.

“Our commitment to community safety remains to be the priority, and we are confident that this increase is a necessary investment, safeguarding the safety and well-being of our neighbourhoods.

“It will allow for essential investments in our Force Control Centre, addressing the urgent need for increased staffing and upgraded technology systems, ensuring that the Force has the ability to respond promptly and effectively to the needs of our communities.”

To inform his considerations for 2024/25 and in order to fulfil his responsibilities as Commissioner, Mr Llywelyn consulted with the public to obtain their views on the level of Police Precept increase.   Of the 627 respondents, 67.3% noted that they would support either an enhanced or increased level of funding. The 6.2% increase announced today by the Police and Crime Commissioner, will set a precept of £332.03 per Band D property for 2024/25.

This increase will raise a total precept of £79.364m and will provide a total funding of £143.902m, representing a £8.150m (6.0%) increase for 2024/25 from the revised position 

Mr Llywelyn added: “The operational and financial landscape continues to be both unpredictable and challenging. This level of funding will enable the Force to focus on the delivery of my Police and Crime Plan for 2021-2025 and the objectives that I have outlined for the Chief Constable to improve performance and outcomes.

“I would like to thank the public for providing their views through the consultation, and to the Police and Crime Panel members for their continued support.”

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Crime

Dangerous dogs warrant executed by police in Carmarthenshire

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POLICE have confirmed that a warrant under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was executed by Dyfed-Powys Police and the RSPCA at a property in Cefneithin Road, Gorslas, Carmarthenshire on Saturday, April 27.

Two prohibited dogs were removed from the premises, and an investigation is ongoing between the two agencies.

At the time of writing, please said that no arrests made.

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Crime

Plea hearing for man accused of assault and strangulation

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A HAVERFORDWEST man is appearing at Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, April 26) charged with assaulting and strangling a woman

Oliver Torkington, 38, of Pembroke Road, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with two offences last month, and is in Swansea Crown Court today to make his plea, after the local court declined jurisdiction.

Torkington is alleged to have assaulted a woman in St Clears on March 23 and caused her actual bodily harm.

He is also accused of strangling her.

The case came before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 25 and Torkington has been remanded in custody since then.

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Crime

Teenage girl in court charged with three counts of attempted murder

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A 13-YEAR-OLD appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court this morning, in connection to the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman on Wednesday.

She was charged with three counts of attempted murder, and one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place.

No pleas were entered, and she was remanded into a youth detention centre until a future court hearing at Swansea Crown Court.

Criminal proceedings are active in respect of this case, and we ask members of the community not to speculate or comment on the circumstances.

On Thursday (Apr 25), the police confirmed that a teenager had been charged in relation to the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Amman yesterday.

Police were called to the school at around 11.20am, following reports that three people had been injured.

Two teachers and a pupil were taken to hospital with stab wounds. They received treatment for knife injuries, have all since been discharged.

A CID-led investigation was launched, and there has continued to be a police presence at the school today as we gather evidence to assist our enquiries.

Police also said: “Yesterday evening, our control room received a number of calls reporting concerns over messages being shared on social media, which had references to the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.
Officers swiftly carried out a warrant at the home of the person believed to be responsible for this content, and a 15-year-old male was arrested.

He also remains in police custody while we investigate these allegations.”

At a press conference outside the school, also on Thursday, Superintendent Ross Evans said: “While this investigation is being run separately to our enquiries into events at the school, our officers are seeking to establish if there was a connection between the alleged offences.

“Again, I would urge people not to speculate, not to share any images or videos relating to either investigation, and to allow us to carry out our enquiries fully.

“If you, or your children, are distressed by these events, please seek support from an appropriate agency.

“Finally, I would once again like to thank our colleagues at the Welsh Ambulance Service and Wales Air Ambulance Service for their swift response to this incident, as well as the NHS staff who treated those who were injured, the charitable organisations who are supporting those affected by this incident, and the vigilant members of the public who reported their concerns to us.”

Ysgol Dyffryn Aman has confirmed that it will re-open to pupils on Monday, 29 April. Carmarthenshire County Council and Ysgol Dyffryn Aman would like to reassure the school community, in anticipation of the school reopening, that a broad range of wellbeing support will continue to be offered to pupils, teachers and staff at the school.

From Monday, 29 April, a dedicated Education and Child Psychology Team from the Council will be available for pupils and staff and will maintain a presence at the school, for the next two weeks, to provide ongoing support and assistance as needed.

Upon the school’s reopening, counselling will be available for pupils at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman to offer support and guidance to students facing difficulties.

The Council’s internal Occupational Health Team, in collaboration with the Education Department, is working to provide comprehensive support for affected staff members. This will entail offering wellbeing support sessions, drop-in sessions, group sessions, and referrals for 1:1 therapeutic support as needed.

Carmarthenshire County Council is grateful to the numerous offers of support from external agencies to provide additional assistance for our students during this time. We are carefully considering how and when to use these services.

Council Leader, Cllr. Darren Price said: “As a County Council, we are doing everything that we can to support the community of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman and we have set out a wellbeing support plan to help the pupils and staff.

“This will be a joint support approach, as we are adopting a collaborative approach to ensure that all individuals affected receive the support they require. This includes coordinating between internal and external resources to provide holistic assistance.”

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