NARBERTH councillors have said there was no consultation with them over the sale of the town’s police station; the town council saying it only heard of it after a press release was issued.

Yesterday, February 27, Dyfed-Powys Police announced it is to sell Narberth Police Station and relocate to a new base with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Services (MAWWFRS) in nearby Spring Gardens.

The current Jesse Road station has been identified as not meeting modern day policing requirements, the force has said.

It stated: “As a result, and as part of a £10m savings plan spanning three years, a decision has been made to formally close the station and sell the property.”

Dyfed-Powys Police says it will maintain its presence in Narberth, from a new co-location base.

Reacting to the announcement, Narberth Town Council said it only heard about the sale through a press release shared by news outlets.

A statement said: “Mayor Cllr Chris Walters has written to [Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner] Dafydd Llewlyn to express his disappointment in learning about the closure of Narberth Police Station and its intention to exit the town.

“No correspondence has been received by the town council in any capacity from either Mr Llewellyn or Dyfed Powys Police, and we are now seeking answers as to why the town has been overlooked for their views.

“We as a town council are very disappointed in this press release, especially as this was the first time we were made aware.”

County Councillor for Narberth, Cllr Marc Tierney said: “The Police and Crime Commissioner has informed me that Dyfed-Powys Police intends to sell their police station in Narberth and co-locate their service with that of the Fire Service at Spring Gardens.

“There doesn’t appear to have been any consultation on this proposal which is disappointing. Consultation allows for the co-production of public services and an opportunity for local residents to input suggestions that may enhance the final decision.

“Therefore, I have asked for a meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable to ensure that the service in Narberth meets demand and keeps our community safe.”

Speaking about the sale and re-location, Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis has said: “This decision has come after careful evaluation to make best use of resources and deliver an effective police service that meets the needs and expectations of our communities.

“The closure and sale of this police station is a step forward in modernising and improving our services, enabling officers to continue their work with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

“The decision has been made with the best interests of taxpayers and the community in mind, as the current station does not meet modern day policing requirements and is expensive to run.

“I want to reassure our local communities that Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police is committed to maintaining the same level of service and support for our local communities, and residents and business in Narberth will see no difference.”

CARMARTHENSHIRE man Robert Smith, 26, of Penygarn Road, Ammanford, admitted to committing rape when he appeared at Swansea Crown Cour earlier this week.

On Friday (Feb 28) he was sentenced to five years and four months in prison for the offence.

At his sentencing today, the court heard how Smith entered the victim’s home and raped her while she slept in her bed on the evening on Tuesday 2 July, 2024.

The court was told how the defendant entered the woman’s home under the guise of performing a “welfare check” and took advantage of her while she slept.

Prior to the that evening, Smith and the victim were not acquainted with one another other. It was purely coincidental that they had met earlier that evening as they both happened to be at a mutual friends’ address where alcohol was consumed. 

The victim asserted that Smith would not have had any reason to enter her address later that evening to perform a ‘welfare check’.

On the morning of Wednesday 3 July 2024, the victim awoke with no recollection of the night before but believed she had been the victim of a serious sexual offence after waking up undressed and in pain.

The victim then contacted police to make an official report.

In a statement, the victim reported feeling “physically dirty and disgusting in the aftermath of the assault”, explaining how it was almost impossible to put into words how the incident had affected her.

The victim stated that she felt she had been treated like an animal, describing the attack as “inhumane” and a violation of her right to make a choice.

The court heard how the woman’s “life had been turned upside down” after being raped in her own home and subsequently moved away from the area out of fear for her personal safety.

Not only has the victim had to front the financial cost and emotional turmoil of moving away from a home she once adored, she has also had to deal with the psychological impact of the rape since the incident last summer.

The victim explained how she now struggles with her short-term memory and described feeling exhausted, vulnerable, and lost.

Summarising the lasting impact of the rape, the victim told the court: “I will never escape what that man did to me”. 

Following today’s sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, Detective Sergeant Carl Pocock told The Herald: “I want to commend the victim’s bravery in coming forward and reporting what can only be described as a hideous, predatory, and selfish crime. A person’s home should always be considered a place of safety and sanctuary, but Robert Smith’s actions in July last year destroyed the victim’s ability to live peacefully in her home. The impact of his offending cannot be underestimated.

“This case has been proven by the strength of the DNA evidence leaving Smith with very little option but to admit his guilt in court. Despite the victim having no recollection of events, the DNA evidence has spoken on her behalf”.

“While no sentence can ever undo Robert Smith’s heinous act, I hope that today’s outcome provides the victim with some form of solace as she starts to rebuild her life.

“I’d like to encourage anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault to come forward and report these offences. I hope that today’s conviction shows that our specialist trained officers will act with compassion, explore all reasonable lines of enquiry, and ensure that victims of sexual offences within our communities are provided with expert support. We will work relentlessly in the pursuit of such offenders and do everything we can to bring them to justice.”

The victim wished to pass on her thanks to the officers involved in the investigation who have supported her through the entire investigative process and kept her updated with developments in the case. In addition, she wished to pass on her thanks to her independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA) who has provided practical and emotional support throughout the process.

The victim also stressed that she hopes that the public do not speculate on the case on social media, adding “I am not the only victim in this case”, referring to the impact on the defendant’s family. She stated that she feels a great deal of sympathy for Robert Smith’s wider family who will all be deeply affected by his prison sentence and wanted to stress that she hopes his family are not the target for any online abuse. The victim wished to make it clear that targeting Robert Smith’s family in any way would be unfair and added that “they are not responsible for his actions”.

A DISPERSAL zone has been enforced at Tenby’s multi-storey car park following a surge in anti-social behaviour, Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed.

Officers say they have received “a number of reports” of disorder both within the car park and in the surrounding area. The incidents have been described as serious enough to warrant immediate action, with police vowing to tackle the issue “robustly.”

Police clamp down on disorder

In response, a Section 34 dispersal zone has been put in place, granting police and PCSOs the authority to order individuals to leave the area if they are involved in, or likely to engage in, anti-social behaviour. Those instructed to leave must not return for 48 hours.

A spokesperson for the Tenby Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) urged parents to take responsibility for their children, saying: “Parents, please be aware of where your children are and what they are up to.”

Reports of escalating incidents

While police have not disclosed specific details of the reported incidents, concerns have been raised over escalating problems at the site. The multi-storey car park was the location of a tragic accident last month when a six-month-old baby was struck by a car and later died.

Residents and businesses in the area have expressed concern over ongoing disturbances, with some calling for increased police patrols and improved security measures at the facility.

How to report anti-social behaviour

Police are urging anyone witnessing anti-social behaviour to report it via:
101 (non-emergency police number)
101@dyfed-powys.police.uk
Online at https://orlo.uk/oL3e3

The dispersal zone will remain in effect while police continue to monitor the situation.