Crime

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

Published

10 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

Driver given interim ban after A478 crash

Published

20 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Motorist fled scene after colliding with fence and hedge near Clunderwen

A LLANDISSILIO motorist has been handed an interim driving disqualification after failing to stop following a collision on the A478.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Dean Duffy, 31, collided with a fence and hedge while driving his Ford Puma at Clunderwen on Tuesday (Mar 4). His failure to stop and report the incident led to his court appearance.

Duffy, of Maesybryn, Llandissilio, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report the accident, driving without third party insurance and driving while disqualified.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court: “A vehicle collided with a fence and hedge and the bumper came off. The vehicle was abandoned, but correspondence on the seat identified the defendant as possibly being the person responsible.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Tuesday (Apr 28) to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service.

Duffy was disqualified from driving on an interim basis pending sentence.

Crime

Dock motorist avoids jail after drug-drive crash

Published

20 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after taking his mother’s car without permission and crashing into a wall, causing damage to a parked BMW.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that on September 27, 2025, Tony Brundrett, 21, took his mother’s Vauxhall Astra from her home and drove off without her consent.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Brundrett lost control of the vehicle and collided with a wall.

“The wall collapsed as a result of the impact, causing damage to a parked BMW,” she said.

The owner of the BMW said the vehicle suffered bodywork damage and scratching following the incident.

When arrested, Brundrett was found to have 253 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system, more than five times the legal limit of 50.

The court heard that although Brundrett’s mother confirmed the car was hers, she did not wish to criminalise her son.

Brundrett, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, criminal damage, and drug-driving.

Defending, Alaw Harries said: “He accepts his behaviour was foolish and irresponsible and wishes to apologise to the court for what took place.

“At the time of the offence, he was experiencing significant personal difficulties. This was the first and last time he has taken drugs, and he was not thinking clearly. While that is not an excuse, it provides context. He is now in a much better place.”

Magistrates sentenced Brundrett to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 24 months. He was disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £100 compensation, a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Dock driver avoids jail after drug-drive crash in mother’s car

Published

22 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

BMW damaged after Astra taken without consent in Pembroke Dock incident

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after taking his mother’s car without permission and crashing into a wall, causing damage to a parked vehicle.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Tony Brundrett, 21, took his mother’s Vauxhall Astra from her home in Pembroke Dock on September 27, 2025, without her consent.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Brundrett subsequently collided with a wall, which collapsed and struck a parked BMW.

“The wall fell over as a result of the impact, causing damage to a nearby BMW,” she said.

The owner of the BMW, Damian Gorzach, reported bodywork damage and scratching to his vehicle following the incident.

When arrested, Brundrett was found to have 253 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system. The legal limit is 50 micrograms.

The court heard that while Brundrett’s mother confirmed ownership of the Astra, she did not wish to pursue matters against her son.

Representing him, solicitor Alaw Harries said her client accepted his actions were “foolish and irresponsible” and expressed remorse.

“At the time of the offence, he was experiencing significant personal difficulties,” she said.

“This was the first and last time he had taken drugs, and he was not thinking clearly. He does not seek to excuse his behaviour, but he is now in a much better place.”

Magistrates sentenced Brundrett to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 24 months. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.

He must pay £100 in compensation, a £154 surcharge, and £85 in prosecution costs.