Crime

Police scheme to tackle predators on nights out to be rolled out forcewide

Published

12 months ago

June 19, 2025

Project Vigilant will now cover all four Dyfed-Powys divisions

A POLICE operation that uses specially trained officers to spot and disrupt potentially predatory behaviour during nights out is being extended across the Dyfed-Powys Police force area.

Project Vigilant, which was trialled in Carmarthenshire over the Christmas period, involves both plain clothed and uniformed officers working together to identify and intervene where concerning behaviour is observed—before a crime takes place.

Plain clothes officers act as ‘spotters’, trained to recognise signs of sexually predatory or violent conduct. Once such behaviour is identified, uniformed officers nearby are called in to disrupt and, where necessary, take enforcement action.

Following a positive review of the pilot, the project will now be rolled out across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said: “This was a new project for Dyfed-Powys Police that we trialled during the busy festive season. It’s an innovative, intelligence-led approach to protecting vulnerable people and preventing harm.

“Everyone should feel safe on a night out. Nobody should have to modify their behaviour to avoid becoming a victim. By targeting those who pose a risk, we can change behaviours and make our communities safer.”

The force received training from Thames Valley Police, where Project Vigilant was first developed. Officers were taught how potential predators may attempt to isolate individuals from their friends or use other concerning tactics. Once identified, uniformed colleagues can then make their presence known and potentially prevent a crime from occurring.

CI Jones added: “Evidence from other forces shows that deploying visible officers alone often results in offenders moving elsewhere. What sets Project Vigilant apart is the use of plain clothes officers to discreetly spot suspicious behaviour, with backup ready to intervene. So far, there is no evidence that this simply displaces the problem.”

While the initiative is focused on reducing sexual and violent offences, the pilot also led to the detection of other crimes. In one case, officers safeguarded a vulnerable woman who had become separated from her friends. On another occasion, a man was arrested for drink driving and possession of ketamine after being spotted driving erratically.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers who took part in the scheme praised its effectiveness. One said: “The training on what behaviours to watch for was really beneficial. That one interaction—asking the right question at the right time—could stop a sexual assault.”

The pilot was funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner under the Serious Violence Duty.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “I’m proud to have supported this project. It’s a proactive approach that ensures officers are in the right place at the right time to prevent harm. The rollout of Project Vigilant across all four divisions reflects Dyfed-Powys Police’s clear commitment to public safety.”

Crime

Drug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000

Published

9 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE drug trafficker jailed after a major cocaine and cannabis seizure has been ordered to repay more than £33,000.

Dean Evans, 44, returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing after prosecutors sought to recover money made through his offending.

The court heard it had been agreed that Evans benefited from criminal conduct by £496,533.94. However, his available assets were calculated at £33,337.37.

Judge Catherine Richards made a confiscation order for that amount and gave Evans three months to pay. If he fails to do so, he faces a further year in prison.

Evans, of St Clements Park, Freystrop, is already serving an eight-year sentence after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

He was caught after Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit stopped his Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, at around 10:25am on January 2.

Officers searched the vehicle after Evans admitted they would find “stuff” inside.

They discovered around one kilogram of cocaine in a cardboard box in the boot, together with 5.4 kilograms of cannabis in a black bin bag. The cannabis had been split into ten vacuum-sealed bags.

Swansea Crown Court was previously told the drugs had a combined potential street value of up to £185,000, made up of around £125,000 of cocaine and cannabis worth up to £60,000.

A mobile phone seized from Evans revealed what prosecutors described as a “dealer’s list”, with dozens of names and sums believed to be owed. Messages also showed Evans directing dealers below him in the supply chain.

At the original sentencing hearing, the court was told Evans had 23 previous convictions for 62 offences, including rape and robbery. His previous drug matters had related only to possession.

Sarah John, mitigating, said he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had stayed out of trouble for a “fairly lengthy period”, with his last conviction in 2016.

Jailing Evans for eight years, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “You are clearly a man with few criminal boundaries.

“You ensnared users and low-level drug dealers into debt, dragging them into a vicious circle of criminality.”

After sentencing, DC Phill Jones, of Pembrokeshire’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said illegal drugs brought misery to local communities and would not be tolerated.

He said: “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to any others who are tempted into the illegal drugs trade. You will get caught and you will go to prison.”

Photo caption: Drugs seized:

Dean Evans was caught with cocaine and cannabis worth up to £185,000 in his car (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).

Crime

Man wanted by court after failing to attend hearing over alleged shop thefts

Published

10 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A MAN is wanted by the courts after failing to attend a hearing relating to a series of alleged shop thefts in Pembrokeshire.

Jack Morgan, of Pembroke, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) but failed to attend.

The court heard that Morgan faces several allegations of shop theft from businesses in Pembrokeshire.

The charges include the alleged theft of vodka from the Co-op in Pembroke Dock, along with food and drink items including sausages, crisps and Dragon Soop from The Green Garage.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place on various dates earlier this year.

After Morgan failed to attend court, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail.

He will now be brought before the court once located by police.

Court officials heard that the matters remain before the court and no pleas have yet been entered.

Crime

Shop theft admitted after alcohol stolen from Haverfordwest store

Published

11 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A WOMAN has admitted shoplifting alcohol from a Haverfordwest store.

Esme Hoyle appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) charged with theft from a shop.

The court heard that Hoyle stole alcohol worth £17 from B&M in Haverfordwest on Sunday, April 6.

Hoyle pleaded guilty to the offence.

Magistrates sentenced Hoyle following her guilty plea and imposed financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

The court was told the offence related to a low-value retail theft from the town centre store.

Retail theft continues to place pressure on local businesses across Pembrokeshire, with stores increasingly reporting repeated incidents of shoplifting.