Crime

New rural and wildlife crime strategy aims to boost patrols and community engagement

Published

2 months ago

March 12, 2026

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting rural communities with the launch of a new rural and wildlife crime strategy aimed at increasing patrols and strengthening engagement with local people.

The strategy will see rural crime officers increase their visibility across the force area, while building closer relationships with farming communities, landowners and residents. Officers will also attend more community events and offer additional crime prevention visits.

Covering the largest and most rural police force area in England and Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police’s rural crime team works across vast areas of countryside, coastline and farmland. Their work focuses on tackling offences that affect farms, smallholdings, wildlife and historic sites.

Greater visibility by officers is expected to encourage more people to report incidents and share information, helping police gather intelligence and target patrols where they are needed most.

Inspector Matthew Howells of Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Rural crime can often go unreported. We want to strengthen our presence and expand both Farm Watch and Rural Watch schemes to encourage reporting. This will give us better data to shape our patrols and disrupt criminal activity.

“Our rural crime officers will also promote property marking and security measures to help reduce repeat victimisation and deter offenders.”

During 2025, Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 49 reports of livestock theft, along with 42 reports of quad bike theft and 60 reports of heritage crime.

Heritage crime includes offences that damage or exploit historic sites and assets, such as illegal metal detecting, looting or off-roading on protected land.

The most commonly reported rural offence last year was livestock worrying, with 60 incidents reported across the force area.

Chief Constable Ifan Charles recently met members of the farming community to discuss the new strategy and recent updates to livestock worrying legislation.

He was joined by Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn and members of the rural crime team at a farm owned by Anwen Hughes, regional vice-president of the Farmers’ Union of Wales. Also present was Rob Taylor, the Rural and Wildlife Crime Co-ordinator for Wales.

During the visit, the group heard about Ms Hughes’ recent loss of three lambs following a livestock attack and discussed the need to raise awareness of changes to livestock worrying laws. They also explored how the new rural and wildlife crime strategy could better support rural communities.

Chief Constable Ifan Charles said: “The impact of these crimes on rural communities cannot be underestimated. For many people, their homes and livelihoods are closely linked.

“This new strategy puts rural communities at its heart. Policing such vast rural areas presents very different challenges to urban policing, and our rural crime teams will continue working closely with local people to understand those challenges and keep communities safe.”

Rural, wildlife and heritage crime can be reported by calling 101 or online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Crime

Man who assaulted woman remanded after failing to attend court

Published

4 days ago

April 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A 50-YEAR-OLD man of no fixed abode has been remanded in custody after admitting failing to surrender to court bail.

Michael Sudbury, whose address was listed as no fixed abode, Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 23) following the execution of a bench warrant.

Sudbury admitted failing without reasonable cause to surrender to custody at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 20), having previously been released on bail at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 30.

The court also dealt with a common assault matter. Sudbury had denied assaulting the female in Haverfordwest on October 22, 2025, but was found guilty on Monday (Apr 20).

Magistrates Mr S Weatherall, Mr C Rees and Mr J Ross committed Sudbury to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody on the basis that inquiries are needed and to determine the most suitable way of dealing with the case. The court recorded bail exceptions including a likelihood of further offending and a risk of causing injury or fear of injury to an associated person.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and a victim personal statement is expected to be presented to the court.

Sudbury will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, May 7, at 9:00am.

Crime

Hakin resident fined £1,330 over repeated noise and intimidation breaches

Published

4 days ago

April 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAKIN resident has been ordered to pay £1,330 after repeatedly breaching a community protection notice over loud music, shouting and intimidation.

Tania Evans, aged 47, of James Street, Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Apr 23), where guilty pleas were entered to six offences.

The court heard that Evans had been issued with a community protection notice requiring behaviour at the property not to have an unreasonable and detrimental effect on people living nearby.

However, the notice was breached on six separate dates: October 28, December 3, December 9, December 23, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.

The breaches involved excessive and persistent loud music, abusive or excessive shouting, and the use of intimidation by Evans or visitors to the property.

One of the later breaches stated that Evans failed to ensure that people at the property did not act in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress through amplified music, shouting or intimidation in the local area.

Magistrates fined Evans £162 for each of the first three offences. No separate penalty was imposed for the remaining three matters, but the guilty pleas were taken into account.

Evans was also ordered to pay a £194 victim surcharge and £650 costs, bringing the total to £1,330.

A collection order was made, with the court noting that deductions from benefits could be used if necessary.

The full amount must be paid by May 20.

Speaking after the case, Nathan Miles, Public Protection Manager at Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “This is the first time that this joint approach to tackling ASB between PCC and ateb has resulted in court action.

“Hopefully this will provide some respite for the local community who have had to
endure ongoing noise from this address and the impacts on their lives such as sleep
loss, stress and anxiety.