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Crime

Pembroke councillor meets chief constable to discuss policing strategies

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A Pembroke councillor who had previously raised concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour in the town has recently met with the chief constable to discuss policing.

Concerns at the level of policing in Pembroke were raised by local county councillor, and town councillor, Jonathan Grimes at the February meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee.

During that meeting to discuss a licensing application, and hearing there had been no objections by statutory consultees like the police, Cllr Grimes said: “To be honest I’m not surprised, the police presence is woefully inadequate, antisocial behaviour is on the rise, drug-taking is on the rise, and the police response is woefully inadequate at the moment; it’s unusual to see police patrols after 10pm because most of the police patrols are carried out by PCSOs and PCSOs normally finish at 10pm.”

Cllr Grimes had raised memories of a “mass brawl” at the town’s annual fair last year, the police presence at which he has previously described as “underwhelming”.

“We had an incident last October at the Michaelmas Fair where there were no police available to deal with an antisocial incident, a fight.

“Policing is woefully inadequate in Pembroke at the moment.”

Since then, Cllr Grimes had arranged a meeting with Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis.

Cllr Grimes said: “I had invited the chief constable to visit Monkton in particular, as a result of previous meetings held with Monkton Priory School, Pembrokeshire County Council Housing Services and members of the local community with concerns over safety in our community.

“The level of anti-social behaviour, crime and drug abuse in our town is getting worse and I wanted Richard, as head of Dyfed-Powys Police, to meet with people living and working in our community to listen to them and to see how policing can be improved.

“We had the opportunity to meet with the headmaster of the school, Dylan Lawrence, who told the chief constable of the pressures children were facing as a result of anti-social behaviour in the community.

“We also met with Danny Nash from PCC who explained the problems being faced by the housing department as a result antisocial behaviour and how it impacted on tenants.

“Finally, we were joined by Lyn and James from Pembroke Street Pastors who were able to give the chief constable their unique perspective on the problems facing our community and young people in particular.

“I would like to thank the chief constable for taking the time to visit Pembroke, listening to our concerns and for promising to go away to discuss the issues covered with his officers.

“We will continue to work with the Pembroke Dock and Pembroke Police to find a more effective way of policing our community – to make it a safer and more pleasant place to live.”

Responding to Cllr Grimes’ previous concerns, Dyfed-Powys Police Divisional Commander for Pembrokeshire Craig Templeton said: “Whilst I do not agree with Cllr Grimes’ comments regarding policing within Pembroke, or the lack of officers to attend a previous incident last October, I am always ready to listen to concerns raised from within our communities about any policing issue.

“Pembrokeshire is one of the safest places to live, work and visit in the UK and there are many hardworking officers and staff ensuring that this is the case.”

 

Crime

Train disruption after youths seen playing on tracks at Haverfordwest station

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Police attend after dangerous incident involving football on railway line

TRAINS were delayed at Haverfordwest railway station on Tuesday (Apr 1) after a group of youths were seen playing with a football near live tracks, prompting a police response.

Footage captured by a bystander shows several young people on the platform throwing and kicking a ball across the station. In one clip, a youth is seen kicking a football from Platform 2 towards Platform 1, but the ball overshoots and lands beyond a fence into the station car park.

More concerning footage shows the ball rolling onto the railway line, with one youth climbing down onto the tracks to retrieve it—an act that poses serious risk of injury or death due to live rails and the potential for oncoming trains.

The incident caused disruption to services, with two trains delayed by 25 minutes while the situation was dealt with.

Police attended the scene, although it is not yet clear whether any arrests were made. Officers have been approached for comment.

Railway safety rules strictly prohibit access to the tracks except by authorised personnel, and incidents such as this are treated seriously due to the potentially fatal consequences.

The Herald understands that such behaviour can also lead to significant disruption across the rail network, affecting passengers and services well beyond the immediate area.

Anyone with further information about the incident is urged to contact police.

 

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Crime

Driver given interim ban after A478 crash

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Motorist fled scene after colliding with fence and hedge near Clunderwen

A LLANDISSILIO motorist has been handed an interim driving disqualification after failing to stop following a collision on the A478.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Dean Duffy, 31, collided with a fence and hedge while driving his Ford Puma at Clunderwen on Tuesday (Mar 4). His failure to stop and report the incident led to his court appearance.

Duffy, of Maesybryn, Llandissilio, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report the accident, driving without third party insurance and driving while disqualified.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court: “A vehicle collided with a fence and hedge and the bumper came off. The vehicle was abandoned, but correspondence on the seat identified the defendant as possibly being the person responsible.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Tuesday (Apr 28) to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service.

Duffy was disqualified from driving on an interim basis pending sentence.

 

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Crime

Dock motorist avoids jail after drug-drive crash

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A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after taking his mother’s car without permission and crashing into a wall, causing damage to a parked BMW.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that on September 27, 2025, Tony Brundrett, 21, took his mother’s Vauxhall Astra from her home and drove off without her consent.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Brundrett lost control of the vehicle and collided with a wall.

“The wall collapsed as a result of the impact, causing damage to a parked BMW,” she said.

The owner of the BMW said the vehicle suffered bodywork damage and scratching following the incident.

When arrested, Brundrett was found to have 253 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system, more than five times the legal limit of 50.

The court heard that although Brundrett’s mother confirmed the car was hers, she did not wish to criminalise her son.

Brundrett, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, criminal damage, and drug-driving.

Defending, Alaw Harries said: “He accepts his behaviour was foolish and irresponsible and wishes to apologise to the court for what took place.

“At the time of the offence, he was experiencing significant personal difficulties. This was the first and last time he has taken drugs, and he was not thinking clearly. While that is not an excuse, it provides context. He is now in a much better place.”

Magistrates sentenced Brundrett to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 24 months. He was disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £100 compensation, a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.

 

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