Crime

Police urge parents to be vigilant as antisocial behaviour rises in Pembrokeshire

Published

3 months ago

February 24, 2026

DYFED-POWYS POLICE is urging parents and carers to keep closer track of their children’s whereabouts following a recent rise in youth-related antisocial behaviour and criminal incidents in Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock.

Officers say they have received an influx of calls in recent weeks reporting large groups of young people gathering in specific locations, including the former Tasker Milward School site. Behaviour linked to these gatherings has caused harassment, alarm and distress to local residents and business owners.

Concerns have also been raised about alcohol consumption and incidents in which young people have been injured while trespassing on disused or unsafe buildings.

Neighbourhood policing and prevention teams are carrying out additional patrols and working with partner agencies and local businesses to tackle the issue.

Pembrokeshire County Council is also increasing security at the former Tasker Milward School building. Measures include replacing damaged boarding and fencing panels, installing anti-climb paint and defender strips, and clearing debris from the site to reduce opportunities for antisocial behaviour and minimise safety risks.

Police say additional resources — including response officers and specialist units — have been allocated to provide what they describe as a robust response.

Officers are using a range of legal powers under antisocial behaviour legislation, including requiring individuals to provide details under Section 50 of the Police Reform Act and directing people to leave an area for up to 48 hours under Sections 34 and 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act.

Where offences are identified, police say positive action will be taken and prosecutions pursued where appropriate.

Superintendent Louise Harries, BCU Commander for Pembrokeshire, said: “The impact of this antisocial behaviour on our communities and local businesses cannot be underestimated. We want to reassure residents that we are taking robust action using the powers available to us and working closely with partner agencies.

“Regarding the former Tasker Milward School building, I want to be absolutely clear that breaking into a building could not only amount to a crime but is also extremely dangerous. Children have already been injured at the site, and we cannot allow this to continue.

“We are asking parents and carers to speak to their children about their behaviour, where they are spending their time, and who they are associating with. Many of the groups involved are travelling from different areas in Pembrokeshire, and it is important that parents are aware of this.

“Antisocial behaviour and criminal offences can have long-term consequences for young people, including potential impacts on education and future employment. Early intervention is key to preventing this, and we are asking for parents and carers to support our efforts in keeping these children, and our local community, safe.”

Parents and carers concerned about their child’s behaviour can seek support through the Pembrokeshire Families’ Support Network or by contacting their local neighbourhood policing team.

Residents are encouraged to report antisocial behaviour via 101 or online. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Crime

Steynton motorist banned after drink-drive collision

Published

16 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Driver was seen swerving through Milford Haven before hitting traffic barrier

A STEYNTON motorist has lost his licence after being caught driving through Milford Haven while over the drink-drive limit.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that at around 2:00am on Saturday (May 10), police received a call from ambulance staff who were concerned about the manner in which a white Kia was being driven in the Milford Haven area.

The vehicle had been seen swerving across the road.

Officers located the Kia as it entered Milford Haven and watched it turn right into Thornton Road, where it collided with a traffic barrier.

The driver identified himself as Jordan Wootton. As officers approached the vehicle, they could smell intoxicants. Wootton was also heard slurring his words, while an open bottle of alcohol was seen inside the vehicle.

Wootton, 28, of Conway Drive, Steynton, was arrested. Subsequent breath tests gave a lowest reading of 59mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

He pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Wootton was fined £430 and ordered to pay a £180 surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 16 months.

Crime

Dock man given suspended prison sentence for third drink-drive offence

Published

16 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Disqualified driver was nearly twice the legal limit after being seen driving erratically in Range Rover

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after committing his third drink-driving offence in six years.

Neil Edmundson, 51, was reported to police on May 7 after a motorist saw him driving an orange Range Rover “in an erratic manner” along Lamphey Lodge Lane.

“He was driving towards her at an excessive speed and was driving erratically,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Edmundson was then seen entering a local petrol station, where he was said to smell strongly of alcohol.

He was later stopped by police officers but refused to provide a roadside breath test. He was arrested and taken to a police station where he provided a breathalyser reading of 77mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

A police investigation established that Edmundson, of Laws Street, Pembroke Dock, had already been disqualified from driving following two previous drink-driving convictions in 2020 and 2024.

Appearing before magistrates this week, Edmundson pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without third party insurance.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for five years.

Magistrates also ordered him to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He must pay a £154 surcharge and £85 court costs.

Crime

Bulldog left permanently blind after prolonged neglect

Published

17 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A BULLDOG was left permanently blind after suffering prolonged neglect by its owner, a court has heard.

George suffered substantial levels of suffering between July 12 and December 20, 2025, after his owner, Michael McGartland, failed to seek prompt veterinary treatment despite the animal’s significant decline.

McGartland, 70, of The Woodlands, Lower Level, Kilgetty, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

District Judge Mark Layton said the seriousness of the offence meant an all-options probation report would be required before sentence.

McGartland will be sentenced on June 23.

He was released on unconditional bail.