Crime
Dyfed-Powys Police launches project to break cycle of youth offending
A NEW pilot scheme designed to support children and young people after they have been arrested has been launched across the Dyfed-Powys Police area.
The Reachable Moments project aims to ensure those brought into custody receive the right help at the right time. The force will work with an Adferiad Reachable Moments worker to engage with young people, explore the causes of offending and steer them towards positive life choices.
Dyfed-Powys Police says wider scrutiny measures introduced over the past year have already reduced the number of children passing through custody. In 2024, 432 children were arrested and taken into custody. By the end of 2025, that figure had fallen to 326, following measures including closer oversight of decisions to arrest children.
While every encounter in custody can represent a “reachable moment” – a critical opportunity for early intervention – the new project aims to reduce the numbers further by offering support when young people may be most receptive to change.
Chief Inspector Jenna Jones said: “While we, as a force, are focusing on prevention and intervention in the community to prevent a child from ending up in custody, we recognised and acknowledged that there was a significant gap in support once a child is arrested and brought into custody.
“When young people are arrested or held in custody, they often spend long periods waiting to be processed or interviewed. This waiting time presents a crucial reachable moment – a window of opportunity where a trained professional can engage with the young person at a time they have less influence from peers or family members who contribute to their offending, and when they may be more open to support.
“Our ultimate aim is to break the cycle of offending, and positively influence them into making changes to their behaviour.”
Launched on Sunday (Jan 12), 2026, the pilot provides a 24/7 on-call service for custody staff, allowing officers to request immediate support from a Reachable Moments Worker (RMW).
The worker will attend the custody unit to:
- Engage with the young person in a safe, one-to-one setting
- Provide emotional support, practical guidance and short-term mentoring
- Seek to understand the root causes of the offending behaviour
- Link them to diversionary activities, community services and longer-term support to help prevent reoffending
The project is being delivered by Adferiad, a Welsh charity providing support for people with mental health and substance use needs, as well as other complex problems. Dyfed-Powys Police already works with the charity through its Appropriate Adult service operating across custody suites in the force area.
“For this project, Adferiad’s experience in supporting children and young people is key,” Ch Insp Jones said.
“A child being brought into custody is at a critical point, and one at which they often feel vulnerable, uncertain and isolated. They might be at risk of exploitation, gang involvement, or falling into a cycle of reoffending.
“This also might just be that moment they decide to engage.
“Reachable Moments workers are trained professionals, distanced from any statutory authorities, who can provide non-judgemental support in a safe place, helping the young person to reflect on their situation and consider alternative paths.
“They will build a trusting relationship, offering emotional support and guidance, and help prevent further harm, trauma and future involvement in crime, as well as reducing the trauma caused from just being in custody as a child.”
Following the initial meeting in custody, the Reachable Moments worker will maintain contact with the young person to arrange follow-up appointments and help ensure relevant agencies are also involved.
The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dyfed-Powys Police said a full evaluation will be carried out after the pilot period to inform a decision on whether the project should continue.
Crime
Pembrokeshire hairdresser avoids prison after pub assault
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.
Crime
Farm worker overturns Mercedes when over drink-drive limit
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.
Crime
Pembrokeshire man charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children
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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