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Crime

Dyfed-Powys Police fastest in UK for answering 999 calls

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DYFED-POWYS POLICE has been ranked the fastest force in the UK for answering 999 emergency calls, new figures show.

Data published on police.uk reveals that between January and August 2025, the Force Communication Centre (FCC) was the quickest in Wales – and the fastest in the country – at responding to emergency calls.

Over the last eighteen months, the FCC has introduced new technology, new ways of working, and recruited twenty new team members thanks to investment from the Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn.

Between January and September, the team handled more than 47,000 emergency calls, over 117,000 non-emergency calls via the 101 phoneline, and a further 32,000 digital contacts through social media, the force website and email.

For September 2025 alone, Dyfed-Powys Police answered 999 calls in an average of 4.33 seconds, well below the national target of ten seconds. The UK-wide average for the month was 7.71 seconds.

Karen Marshall, Force Communication Manager, said: “Everyone in the FCC is committed to providing an excellent service to our communities and visitors. I’m very pleased that Dyfed-Powys Police is consistently able to quickly answer callers who need help.”

Investment and innovation

In January, the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel backed a precept rise of 8.6% for 2025/26 on an average Band D property. The extra funds have been directed toward bolstering frontline capability, releasing experienced officers from desk duties and improving the FCC.

The FCC has since launched a new telephony system that routes calls to the most suitable operator and automatically reserves two operators for 999 calls. If both are busy, a third is ring-fenced to maintain emergency response capacity.

A new callback function now allows callers to leave their number rather than wait in a queue. Staff can then return calls within twenty minutes to an hour, reducing frustration and keeping emergency lines clear.

Training for all roles

One of the most significant changes has been the rollout of omnicompetence training, allowing staff to perform multiple roles – from call handling and dispatch to digital desk duties and CCTV monitoring.

Chris, who joined the FCC in February 2024, said: “Because we’re trained in all roles, it means we can flex our resources to meet demand. If a certain area is busier, we can move staff across to keep wait times low and respond more quickly.”

He added: “Not all calls we receive are police matters, and thanks to the training we can signpost people to other services faster, keeping our lines free for genuine emergencies.”

Commissioner praises performance

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “I am extremely proud of our Force Communication Centre for their continued dedication and professionalism. They play a vital role in ensuring people in the Dyfed-Powys area get help when they need it most.

“The investment made through last year’s precept has strengthened the service through new technology and enhanced training. It’s clear that this focus on improvement is paying off, with our communities benefitting from a faster, more efficient response.”

Making the right call

The force reminded the public to use emergency lines responsibly and to “Make the Right Call”:

  1. Police or partners? Check if another service is better suited to help.
  2. Online information: Visit the Dyfed-Powys Police website before calling.
  3. Report crime: Use the online non-emergency reporting form where possible.
  4. Call 101: For information sharing or to speak to an officer directly.

Find out more at dyfed-powys.police.uk/maketherightcall

 

Crime

Two arrested after high-value shoplifting incident in Kilgetty

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TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting following a rapid police response to a reported high-value theft at a supermarket in Kilgetty.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the Co-op store at around 3.35pm on Wednesday (Jan 28), after a report that a large quantity of alcohol and other items had been stolen.

Using information provided by the caller, Roads Policing Unit officers worked closely with control room staff to identify a vehicle believed to be involved. Several patrol cars were deployed, and the vehicle was located a short time later travelling east.

Police said the safety of all those involved was treated as a priority, with specialist Tactical Pursuit and Containment (TPAC) advice obtained while officers maintained constant observation of the vehicle.

The car was brought to a safe stop on a back road approaching Hendy, involving three Roads Policing Unit vehicles. No injuries or damage were reported.

Following roadside checks, two men — aged 67 and 46 — were arrested on suspicion of theft from a shop.

Both remain in police custody while enquiries continue.

Police said the swift response helped prevent further offending and demonstrated the effectiveness of specialist roads policing officers acting on real-time intelligence.

 

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Business

Eight-year prison sentence after vehicle stop uncovers drugs worth over £150,000

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A ROUTINE vehicle stop by roads policing officers has led to an eight-year prison sentence after more than £150,000 worth of illegal drugs were discovered in a car in Pembrokeshire.

On Friday, January 2, officers from the Roads Policing Unit stopped a grey Seat Ateca on Hoyland Road, Pembroke. The vehicle was being driven by 43-year-old Dean Evans.

During the stop, Evans told officers they would find “stuff” in the car. He and the vehicle were subsequently searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A search of the boot uncovered a cardboard box containing a one-kilogram block of cocaine and ten half-kilogram packages of herbal cannabis. The street value of the drugs was estimated to be well in excess of £150,000.

Evans was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs. He was later charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs.

The 43-year-old pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, January 3.

On Thursday, January 28, Evans was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to eight years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

DC Jones, from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “Tackling the supply of illegal drugs is a priority for Dyfed-Powys Police, and the misery that illegal drugs bring to local communities will not be tolerated.

“We welcome the sentence passed to Dean Evans, given the large quantity of harmful drugs he was caught trafficking into Pembrokeshire.

“This sentence should serve as a stark warning to anyone tempted to become involved in the illegal drugs trade in Dyfed and Powys.”

 

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Crime

Former soldier jailed for stalking police officer over past arrest

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Defendant tracked down officer’s home address and sent threatening messages

A FORMER serviceman has been sent to prison after tracking down and harassing a police officer who had arrested him two years earlier.

Gareth Nicholas, aged 41, from Waunarlwydd in Swansea, targeted the officer by discovering his home address and sending a threatening message via Facebook, Swansea Crown Court heard.

The officer had been part of a police team that executed a Scottish arrest warrant at Nicholas’s home in May 2023. Two years later, in August 2025, the officer received an unexpected friend request on social media, followed shortly afterwards by a message that immediately caused concern.

The message began with the words “I found you” and accused the officer of unlawfully entering Nicholas’s property, assaulting him while he was in his underwear, and “abducting” him. Nicholas also claimed he had identified a pattern of corrupt behaviour within the police and issued a veiled threat, stating: “I will catch you down the Liberty son. Look forward to it,” a reference to Swansea City’s former stadium.

The situation escalated further days later when a handwritten letter was delivered to the officer’s former address. The new occupant contacted the officer to alert him to the letter, which repeated allegations of corruption and suggested the matter could be dropped if the officer assisted in exposing alleged police misconduct.

Nicholas was arrested on September 3 and admitted sending the communications, but denied at the time that his actions amounted to stalking.

In evidence, the officer told the court that while he had faced verbal abuse during his policing career, this incident felt different and deeply personal. He said his family installed CCTV cameras, security lighting and fencing, and put safety plans in place for their children. He added that he feared Nicholas had not let go of his perceived injustice and remained concerned the behaviour could continue.

The court heard Nicholas has a substantial criminal record in Scotland between 2019 and 2024, including convictions for stalking, malicious communications, threatening behaviour, domestic abuse offences and possession of ammunition without a licence.

Sentencing Nicholas, Judge Huw Rees acknowledged the trauma the defendant had experienced during military service, but warned him not to repeat the behaviour.

Nicholas, who appeared unrepresented, pleaded guilty to stalking and was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, reduced by 20 per cent for his early guilty plea. Having already served time on remand, his release is expected shortly. He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order banning any contact with the officer.

 

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