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Crime

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

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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

‘Knife attack’ at Spittal property leaves man in hospital

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POLICE have arrested a woman following what is being described as a ‘knife attack’ at a property in Spittal on Monday night (Mar 10).

Emergency services were called to the domestic incident shortly before 8:30pm after the ambulance service requested assistance from Dyfed-Powys Police.

Officers and paramedics attended the property where a man and a woman were both found with injuries. The man was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment.

A 30-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and assaulting an emergency worker. She remains in police custody while enquiries continue.

Witnesses reported seeing police and ambulance crews at the property during the evening, prompting concern among local residents about what had happened.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers remain at the scene while investigations are ongoing.

A spokesperson said there is no ongoing risk to the wider community and described the incident as isolated.

 

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Crime

Driver caught with three illegal drugs in system on way to MOT test

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Tenby stop check revealed cocaine and cannabis in motorist’s blood

ATTEMPTS to take his vehicle for its annual MOT has backfired after the vehicle’s owner was found to be driving with a cocktail of illegal drugs in his system.

Bradley Bostock, 27, was stopped by officers on December 16 as he drove his Ford Fiesta along Heywood Lane, Tenby.

But further investigations by officers confirmed he had 108 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system together with 17 mcg of cocaine and 2.4 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. The legal limits are 50, 10 and 2 respectively.

“There’s no detail of the rationale behind why he was stopped, but three drugs were noted in his blood,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan when Bostock appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

Bostock pleaded guilty to three charges of drug driving and was represented in court by Jess Hill.

“He was taking his vehicle to Tenby for an MOT that day but was stopped by officers for a stop check,” she said.

“He’s from Yorkshire and often feels isolated here as he has no family and uses drugs to help deal with his loneliness.”

Bostock, of Corston Cottages, Axton Hill, Pembroke was sentenced to a 12 month community order during which he must complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 90 hours of unpaid work.

He was disqualified from driving for 17 months and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

 

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Crime

Father-of-three ordered to pay for bus stop damage after drinking binge

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Blood trail led police from damaged shelter to defendant’s home

A FATHER-OF-THREE had admitted carrying out over £500 worth of damage to a bus stop after a drinking binge in Milford town centre.

A blood trail led officers from the bus stop to Hawthorn Way, to the home of Hayden Dimond.

This week Dimond, 31, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates where he admitted the criminal damage offence.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan informed magistrates that the damage caused to the bus stop totalled £530.60.

“The defendant accepted responsibility in his police interview and pointed them in the direction of the damaged bus stop,” Diamond’s solicitor, Jess Hill, informed the Bench.

“At the time he was highly intoxicated and acted upon impulse.

“He had problems with binge drinking but now rarely consumes alcohol, but whenever he does, it’s monitored so he remains on an acceptable level.”

“What happened that night was not intentional.”

Dimond, Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, was ordered to pay £530 compensation to Pembrokeshire County Council and was fined £40. He must also pay £85 court costs and a £16 surcharge.

 

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