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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

Pembrokeshire hairdresser avoids prison after pub assault

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When a Fishguard mobile hairdresser was branded a chav in her local pub, she took umbrage by throwing a glass of gin at the woman who had spoken the words.

But this week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that when the glass shattered into the victim’s face, the woman sustained lacerations to her neck and chin.

Appearing before the Bench was 43-year-old Donna Thomas of White Lodge, Dyffryn, Goodwick,  who pleaded guilty to assaulting Hannah Llewellyn, causing her actual bodily harm.

The court was told that Thomas arrived at The Royal Oak pub in Fishguard, at around 8pm on October 18, accompanied by her husband. Approximately an hour later, Hannah Llewellyn arrived.

“The defendant began speaking to the victim and an argument broke out,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies.

“The defendant hit the victim to her face with a glass which smashed against her face, neck and skin, causing lacerations.”

Photographs of the lacerations were shown to the Bench.

But the probation service stressed that the assault had been prompted by a derogatory remark made to the defendant by Hannah Llewellyn.

“The defendant had had two drinks earlier that evening, she drank two more at the pub prior to the incident, and was tipsy but was aware of what was happening around her,” commented the probation officer.

 “She went over to the table where the victim was sitting, her husband introduced her to the victim who he’d known since his school days, and they began discussing land on friendly terms.  But the victim then laughed at the defendant’s  job, which is a self-employed mobile hairdresser, and called her a chav. 

“Without thinking, Donna Thomas went to throw the drink over the victim’s face but she knocked the glass.  She didn’t intend to hurt her physically, but just wanted to throw the drink.”

Thomas was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months.  During this time she must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.  She was ordered to pay £750 compensation to Hannah Llewellyn, a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

 

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Crime

Farm worker overturns Mercedes when over drink-drive limit

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A Pembrokeshire farm worker has  lost his licence after overturning his Mercedes when he was over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that at around 3.40pm on January 10, police received reports that a black Mercedes had been involved in a single vehicle road collision on the A487 at Roch.

When officers arrived, they discovered the overturned Mercedes with its driver, Richard James, 45, trapped in the driving seat.

At around 5 pm James was arrested and transported to Withybush hospital where blood samples were carried out.  These gave a reading of 112 mcg of alcohol, the legal limit being 80.

James, of Bryn Seion, Solva, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill who informed magistrates that the defendant had collected items for work on the afternoon in question.

“He’d consumed alcohol the night before and had also taken some prescribed medication,” she said.  “He believed he would be safe to drive the following day, but obviously this wasn’t the case.”

Jess Hill added that James is expecting to lose his employment as a farm worker, as the mandatory driving ban will prevent him from driving the vehicles involved with his work.

James was disqualified from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay a £346 fine, a £138 court surcharge and £85 costs.

 

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Crime

Pembrokeshire man charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children

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A Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children.

David Lewis, 42, is accused of making 261 of the most serious category A images of a child together with 71 category B images and 51 category C images of a child.  The offences are alleged to have been committed between March 19, 2025 and August 6, 2025.

He is further accused of distributing one indecent category A image of a child at an undisclosed location in Llanteg, Narberth, on July 27, 2025.

This week Lewis – formerly of Ashdale Lane, Pembroke but now residing at Hoopers Guest House in Swansea – appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates where he submitted no pleas to all four charges.

Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told magistrates that a total of 81,000 images and videos are currently being investigated in respect of the defendant, with the result that the police enquiry is not yet complete.

 “A lot of these photographs are of babies, with the result that their severity is not suitable for the magistrates court,” Dennis Davies told the Haverfordwest Bench.

As a result of the Crown’s comments, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the matter will now be dealt with by Swansea Crown Court, commencing on May 29.  Lewis was released on unconditional bail.

 

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