Crime

Pembrokeshire street lighting changes impact revealed

Published

5 months ago

November 19, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PART-NIGHT and LED street lighting changes started more than a decade ago are saving Pembrokeshire’s council some £1.5m a year, committee members heard.

A report for members Pembrokeshire County Council’s Policy and Pre-Decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 18, presented by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said, since 2009, the authority has implemented a system of part-night street lighting, which enables all lighting in non-core areas extinguished between midnight and 5.30am.

This was followed in 2016 by the street lighting in core dusk-dawn areas being replaced with low-energy LED units, fitted with programmable photocells which enable dimming during quieter times.

Since 2021 the remaining part-night lanterns have all been bulk-converted to LED.

It added: “As part of the savings identified in the 2024/25 council budget, in 2024 the remaining 186 streetlights that had historically been installed in areas that do not comply with the policy criteria were finally decommissioned.

“During this work the street lighting team received requests for lighting to be reinstated in 11 locations. These locations were reinvestigated, and none were found to satisfy the policy criteria for lighting, and have therefore not been restored.”

In response to a perception the removal of lighting may lead to an increase in rural crime, the views of the local Rural Policing team were sought, the report said, the responses being: “I can present no evidence to suggest that areas where street lighting is not present has an increased chance of there being a crime within that area, compared to areas where there is street lighting.

“However, the use of lighting to act as a deterrent to crime needs to be considered and thought through but is more than just simply the use of street lighting.”

The report said the numbers of street-lighting lanterns managed by the council has not altered significantly over the last decade, with some 15,500 lanterns, but the changes and energy saving measures “has resulted in significant savings of circa £1.5m per annum to the authority surrounding the provision of this service”.

Cllr Mike John, who had previously raised concerns about the loss of rural street lighting at Cabinet, expressed his disappointment the policy report was purely for noting, calling for a review of the whole policy.

Cllr Sinnett responded saying said there were “no issues” with a further look at the criteria, giving his assurances councillors would be able to review the situation, but felt there was a need “to do it with a sense of realism,” the costs balanced against any concerns.

Members backed the recommendation the report be noted.

Crime

Man appears in court charged over death of Blood Bike Wales volunteer

Published

10 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

FAMILY WATCHED FROM PUBLIC GALLERY AS CASE SENT TO CROWN COURT

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates charged with causing the death of Blood Bike Wales volunteer Tim Minett by dangerous driving.

Mr Minett was riding a Blood Bike Wales Honda motorcycle on the afternoon of July 2, 2025, when it was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Crafter van on the A478 between Glandycross and Blaenffos.

He had been transporting blood supplies for the NHS at the time.

This week the van’s driver, Roger King, 57, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with causing Mr Minett’s death by dangerous driving.

King stood in the dock to confirm his name, age and address as members of Mr Minett’s family watched from the public gallery.

Magistrates were told that, due to the seriousness of the allegation, the case can only be dealt with at the Crown Court.

Proceedings will continue at Swansea Crown Court on May 29.

King was released on unconditional bail until that date.c

Crime

Man breached restraining order by entering woman’s home

Published

10 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

COURT HEARS APPLICATION MADE TO DISCHARGE ORDER

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been sentenced after being found inside a woman’s home despite being banned from contacting her.

Peter Bromley, 51, of Parc y Chwarel, Fishguard, was made subject to a restraining order by Haverfordwest magistrates on February 26.

The order prevented him from having any direct or indirect contact with Rhiannon Bowen.

But on April 8, police received a call claiming Bromley was present at Ms Bowen’s address in Fishguard.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that when officers arrived at the property, Ms Bowen initially denied that Bromley was there.

However, when officers gained access to the property, they found Bromley inside the kitchen.

This week Bromley pleaded guilty to breaching the restraining order.

He was legally represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told magistrates that Ms Bowen had recently begun proceedings to have the restraining order removed and discharged.

“Considerable progress has been made by the defendant in various areas of his life,” said Mr Lloyd.

Bromley was fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and an £80 surcharge.

He must also complete a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement.

Crime

Drink-driver hit bicycle and failed to stop

Published

11 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

SENTENCE ADJOURNED FOR PROBATION REPORT

A 23-YEAR-old motorist has been given an interim driving ban after admitting he was over the drink-drive limit when he damaged a bicycle in a collision.

Ajay Mathias was driving his Ford Fiesta along the A478 at Allensbank on April 8 when he collided with the bicycle.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that subsequent breath tests showed Mathias had 44 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Mathias, of Min y Llan, Letterston, appeared before magistrates this week where he pleaded guilty to drink-driving and failing to stop after a road accident.

Sentencing was adjourned until April 30, when magistrates will consider a probation report.

Mathias was released on unconditional bail until that date.