A PILOT initiative designed to help survivors of domestic abuse remain safely in their homes and reduce the risk of homelessness, has seen 76 Carmarthenshire residents protected in just six months.

The My Safe Place project, which is a partnership between Dyfed-Powys Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Carmarthenshire County Council, addresses significant gaps in support services, particularly for people living in their own or privately rented homes, who often can’t afford to implement necessary security measures.

Through providing interventions such as locks, alarms, fencing and other safety features, the program enables domestic abuse survivors to deter perpetrators and avoid the emotional and financial upheaval of relocating.

Constable Stephen Morris, Dyfed-Powys Police’s Designing Out Crime Officer, said: “If a domestic abuse survivor is living in privately owned or privately rented accommodation, very often they can not afford to carry out safeguarding recommendations.

“We identified this gap through speaking to and visiting domestic abuse victims and were able to secure funding to carry out security work and help people who were fleeing domestic abuse to stay in their own homes – preventing them becoming homeless.”

The initiative aligns closely with strategic priorities for housing and domestic abuse prevention, placing a strong emphasis on early intervention to prevent homelessness.

Recent evaluation found the majority of domestic abuse survivors felt safer in their homes after receiving support through My Safe Place, while an equally high percentage recommended the service as an alternative to moving.

“It is often all too easy to send people into refuge, but why should they have to? They are a victim of crime. Their children may go to school locally, they may have family living nearby or local support networks, so why should they have to leave? “In the long term, it is often not what they want. My job is to ensure extra security measures are in place so that the police can reach victims before the perpetrators.” PC Morris continued.

“The council housing team have also had training, so if one brave person declares themselves homeless due to domestic abuse, they can refer them directly to the police to give us the opportunity to intervene and support the victim, which is something that may not have happened previously.

“I’m pleased we have been able to able to utilise funds to help safeguard some of the most vulnerable victims from significant serious harm and plug this gap in provision.”

From April to October 2024, 76 people were supported by the scheme, with 20 interventions to those people living in properties they owned and 17 interventions to those living in private rented accommodation. 26 interventions were made to those living in local authority housing, four to people living in housing association and nine in Registered Social Landlord (RSL) properties.

Through consultation with Mid and West Wales Survivor’s Panel, it revealed victims face significant challenges in accessing home security measures while experiencing domestic abuse.

This gap in support was identified and addressed through funding provided by the OPCC and Carmarthenshire County Council, with delivery facilitated by the Safer Streets initiative. The Safer Streets mission is funded by the Home Office and aims to reduce serious harm and increase public confidence in policing and in the criminal justice system.

Joanne Edwards, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Commissioning and Contracting Manager, said: “As a pilot program, it underscores a firm commitment to easing the strain on homelessness and refuge services, while empowering victims to maintain stability for themselves and their families. Its core objectives include enhancing victims’ safety, reducing the risks posed by perpetrators, and providing a practical alternative to displacement.

“In its pilot phase, the project has demonstrated measurable success and strong stakeholder support. Regular reviews and feedback mechanisms are in place to maintain and enhance its effectiveness. As My Safe Place continues to grow, it holds the potential to serve as a model for future interventions aimed at supporting victims of domestic abuse and preventing homelessness.”

The scheme is another way Dyfed-Powys Police is demonstrating its commitment to helping eliminate domestic abuse.

PC Morris added: “I’m confident that should this scheme continue, it will successfully reduce the number of people declaring themselves as homeless to the council as a result of domestic abuse.”

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn hoped the pilot scheme would help to empower survivors to stay in their own homes.

He said: “I am proud to support and partner on this scheme, which I hope will make a real difference to the lives of domestic abuse survivors. By addressing gaps in support and providing practical security measures, we want to empower survivors to feel safer in their own homes and reduce the risk of homelessness.

“Everyone deserves to feel secure and supported, and I believe this scheme has the potential to bring about lasting, positive change for those who need it most.”

If you need to report domestic abuse, stalking or harassment, you can contact Dyfed-Powys Police in the following ways:

• Report online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
• Email: [email protected]
• Call: 101
• If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908

In an emergency, always call 999.

*If you feel you need support in contacting police, there are organisations that can help you.

Click here to find them, or search online for Live Fear Free, Women’s Aid or the National Stalking Helpline – all of which have free helplines available.

A TEACHER injured by a knife-wielding pupil during a stabbing at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford thought, “Oh God, this could be it,” as she struggled to restrain the attacker, a court has heard.

Two teachers and a Year 10 pupil were injured in the incident, which took place on April 24, 2024.

A 14-year-old girl has admitted three counts of wounding with intent and possessing a bladed article on school premises but denies three counts of attempted murder.

Giving video evidence at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Jan 28), teacher Fiona Elias described the moment she confronted the teenage attacker.

Ms Elias said she had told the defendant she could not remain in a lower school hall on the day of the attack. She recalled how the pupil had “menacingly” stared at her while playing with an object in her pocket.

“I asked her to stop staring at me and what was in her pocket,” Ms Elias said in her police interview.

“She said, ‘Do you want to see what’s in my pocket?’ She pulled out a knife and said, ‘I’m going to kill you,’ then started stabbing me.”

‘She had completely lost it’

The jury heard Ms Elias suffered injuries to her shoulder, bicep, and hand.

“I tried to restrain her. I remember holding her arms, and she was pulling away. She had completely lost it, and the red mist had come down,” she said.

“She was trying to stab me in all sorts of places, and she got me in four places. I did not pass out or anything—I just remember thinking, ‘Oh God, this could be it.’”

She described the knife as a pen knife with a silver blade.

Ms Elias and fellow teacher Liz Hopkin shouted for help as they grappled with the attacker.

Ms Hopkin was stabbed in the neck. In her recorded evidence played to the court, she recalled: “She came towards me face on and stabbed me in the neck. I thought, ‘S**t, this is it.’

“I was just shouting, ‘Help, get help.’ I thought, ‘If I let go, people are going to get hurt.’”

Ms Hopkin was airlifted from the school for treatment, while Ms Elias was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

‘One way to be a celebrity’

Earlier, the court heard how the defendant had stabbed a fellow pupil multiple times before being disarmed by male members of staff.

During the prosecution’s opening remarks, the jury was told the teenage girl made a chilling comment to Dyfed-Powys Police officers as she was escorted from the school.

“I’m pretty sure this is going to be on the news, so more eyes are going to be looking at me—that’s one way to be a celebrity,” she reportedly said.

The 14-year-old girl denies three counts of attempted murder.

The case continues.

AROUND 40 people gathered outside a residential address in Burton on Tuesday (Jan 28) to protest against Christopher Phillips, 33, who faces serious charges, including sexual penetration of a seven-week-old baby, assault, ill-treatment, neglect, and abandonment, causing serious physical harm.

The protest followed widespread public outcry on social media after The Pembrokeshire Herald reported on Friday’s court case, during which Phillips was re-granted bail despite the severity of the charges against him. The Pembrokeshire Herald understands that police informed protesters at the scene that Phillips was not at the address during the demonstration.

Phillips’ co-accused, Bryony O’Rourke, is also facing charges, accused of allowing the child to suffer serious physical harm.

Protesters told The Pembrokeshire Herald they attended to show support for the alleged victim and express their anger over individuals facing such serious allegations being granted bail. Observers noted that the group was peaceful and orderly, with no signs of public disorder or misconduct during the protest.

One protester said: “We’re here for the baby. It’s not right that people accused of such horrific crimes are allowed to walk free in the community.”