Crime

£200m cash boost for Policing in Wales announced by UK Government

Published

1 year ago

January 31, 2025

More officers on streets as government doubles funding

WALES is set to see a surge in neighbourhood policing as the government doubles its funding to £200 million, aiming to restore a visible police presence in local communities.

The investment, which builds on December’s initial £100 million pledge, is intended to reverse years of declining police numbers on the streets. Each of Wales’s four police forces will receive a significant funding boost:

Dyfed-Powys Police: Up to £160.4m – a 5.9% increase
Gwent Police: Up to £193.3m – a 5.8% increase
North Wales Police: Up to £223.0m – a 6.1% increase
South Wales Police: Up to £434.3m – a 6.2% increase

More boots on the ground

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the funding as a “turning point” for policing, stating: “By doubling extra neighbourhood funding to £200m, we are giving forces across the country what they need to put more officers and PCSOs where they’re needed most – on our streets and in our town centres.”

She added that dedicated officers who understand their local areas will help tackle crime before it escalates, with new powers being introduced to further support policing efforts.

The investment is part of the Safer Streets initiative, which will see 13,000 additional officers, PCSOs, and special constables deployed in communities across the country. While the full impact will take time, this first year of funding signals the government’s commitment to making it a priority.

North Wales leads the way

The success of #RenewRhyl, a policing initiative in North Wales, has been highlighted as an example of what dedicated local policing can achieve. The scheme has led to a 14% drop in recorded crime, showing how increased police visibility can make a real difference.

Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, welcomed the extra funding, saying: “Neighbourhood policing is at the heart of my plan for fighting crime in North Wales. Initiatives like #RenewRhyl show that when local people are put at the heart of policing, we see real results.”

Chief Superintendent Owain Llewellyn echoed these sentiments, saying: “We have been clear throughout that this is for the community and involving the community. We have had fantastic support and buy-in from local people who have worked with us to identify the priorities for their areas.”

A long-term commitment

With more funding expected in this autumn’s spending review, the government says this is just the beginning of a wider push to strengthen policing. Plans include giving officers new powers through the Crime and Policing Bill, such as Respect Orders to tackle anti-social behaviour in town centres.

Every neighbourhood will also have a named, contactable officer, ensuring that communities know who to turn to for local policing issues.

With more officers, stronger powers, and local priorities shaping the approach, the government says it is backing the police to deliver the safer streets people deserve.

Crime

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

Published

3 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

3 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.