Crime

Police and Crime Commissioner visits newly upgraded force control centre

Published

2 months ago

September 9, 2024

POLICE and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dafydd Llywelyn recently visited Dyfed-Powys Police’s Force Control Centre (FCC) to see the substantial investments and improvements made as part of his commitment to enhancing public safety. These developments follow last year’s precept increase, with further improvements underway following this year’s uplift.

Since January 2024, the FCC has welcomed 48 new starters, as part of a major recruitment drive funded through PCC Llywelyn’s Precept Uplift. The additional staff, hired over five consecutive intakes, has helped ensure a more resilient and responsive FCC, which plays a critical role in coordinating the force’s response to incidents across Dyfed-Powys.

With the increase in personnel, the FCC has undergone substantial upgrades, including the installation of new workstations, desks, chairs, and IT equipment to accommodate the growing team. A key element of the improvement plan is the launch of the new Omnicompetent Training Programme, which aims to create multi-skilled operators who are trained in all FCC roles, including Contact Handling, Digital Desk Operations, CCTV Operations, Radio Dispatch Support, and Radio Dispatching. By merging these previously separate roles, the force will be better positioned to flexibly manage incoming demand and incidents more effectively. The training programme is expected to take around 18 months to fully implement.

In addition to staff increases and training, the FCC now boasts a fully equipped second control room, a direct response to the findings of the Manchester Arena Inquiry. The additional control room ensures that in the event of a major incident, the force can run operations seamlessly from within the FCC while maintaining normal business in the primary control room. This additional space, equipped for 12 personnel, provides a collaborative environment for police, ambulance, fire, and other emergency service partners to work together during critical incidents.

Another upcoming enhancement to the FCC is the introduction of a state-of-the-art Telephony and Radio platform, expected to go live later this year. This new system, with intelligent call-routing options, will further improve the force’s ability to handle calls for service efficiently.

PCC Llywelyn expressed his pride in the progress made so far and reiterated his commitment to delivering on the promises made to the public. He said “The improvements we’ve made to the Force Control Centre are a key part of my pledge to ensure we are investing in public safety and modernising our approach. The additional resources, advanced technology, and new ways of working will enhance our ability to serve the public and respond to emergencies more effectively.”

Crime

Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.

Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.

“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”

Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.

Crime

Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.

Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.

“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.

Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.

Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.

He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”

Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.

“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.

Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Motorist manned from driving after being caught over limit

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been ordered off the roads after driving through Pembroke town centre when he was over the drink-drive limit.

Just before 1am on October 31, police officers stopped a Vauxhall Zafira that was being driven along South Road by Cameron Sell, 23, who was exceeding the speed limit.

“He was acting erratically when he was speaking to the officer,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverofrdwest magistrates this week.

A roadside breath test proved positive and subsequent breath tests carried out at the police station showed Sell had 42 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

After considering the facts, magistrates fined Sell £300 and ordered him to pay a £120 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.