Crime

Police and Crime Commissioner visits newly upgraded force control centre

Published

2 years 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

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

Published

4 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN has admitted assaulting a family member and harassing another relative following incidents in the town last year.

Wayne Whatling, 39, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Whatling changed his pleas to guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of harassment without violence.

The assault charge relates to an incident in Milford Haven on September 13, 2025, when Whatling assaulted Ben Whatling by beating him.

He also admitted pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment against Carol Whatling between September 1 and September 13, 2025.

The court heard the harassment allegation involved repeatedly asking Carol Whatling for money, with the complainant said to have feared repercussions if she did not provide it.

Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Whatling was remanded on conditional bail and ordered not to contact Carol or Ben Whatling directly or indirectly.

He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 9).

Crime

Milford Haven man admits affray after alleged pub incident

Published

4 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted affray following an incident at a town centre pub.

Stephen Collier, 38, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Collier has pleaded guilty to affray, relating to an incident at Nos Da, Victoria Road, Milford Haven, on December 3, 2025.

The charge states that he used unlawful violence towards John Dean Hilton and that his conduct was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety.

Collier also faces a separate charge of burglary dwelling with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that, on the same date, he entered a flat at Nos Da as a trespasser and inflicted grievous bodily harm on Mr Hilton. He denies that charge.

The court also dealt with a breach of bail allegation after Collier was arrested on May 20 for allegedly breaching a curfew condition. He admitted the breach.

Magistrates re-admitted him to conditional bail.

His bail conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 9:00pm and 6:00am, residence at his Vaynor Road address, and exclusions from Mount Estate, Milford Haven town centre, and Nos Da.

He must also not contact prosecution witnesses, including Molly Martin, Jack Martin, Lily Rose Martin and John Hilton.

Collier is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, June 5, for sentence.

A spokesperson for Nos Da said the incident was connected with rooms upstairs at the Victoria Road premises, and did not take place in the bar itself, in the licensed area.