Crime

Victims’ Commissioner welcomes tagging expansion but warns of overreliance

Published

3 months ago

March 19, 2026

THE VICTIMS’ Commissioner for England and Wales has welcomed plans to expand electronic tagging of offenders but warned that technology alone will not keep victims safe.

The UK Government has announced new measures to widen the use of electronic monitoring, including mandatory tagging for all prison leavers and real-time GPS tracking for high-risk offenders such as domestic abusers and burglars.

The plans also include a pilot scheme for “proximity monitoring”, designed to alert authorities if an offender approaches a victim, alongside a shift in probation resources to focus on those posing the greatest risk to the public.

Responding to the announcement, Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman said the move was a “necessary step” towards strengthening a probation system that has faced years of pressure.

She said: “I welcome the Government’s investment in expanding electronic tagging and increasing the number of probation officers managing dangerous offenders. This is a necessary step in helping to rebuild a probation service that has been under immense pressure for years.”

However, she cautioned that monitoring technology must be backed by swift enforcement.

“For many victims — particularly survivors of domestic abuse and stalking — the knowledge that an offender is being monitored can provide a vital sense of reassurance,” she said.

“But technology and innovation are only as effective as the system that supports them. Tagging must be backed by swift, robust enforcement the moment a breach occurs.”

Waxman warned that without immediate action when rules are broken, victims could be left at risk.

“Without this, there is a real risk of creating a false sense of security for victims at a time of already heightened concern,” she added.

She also stressed that while prioritising high-risk offenders is practical, lower-risk individuals should not be overlooked.

“While prioritising high-risk offenders is a pragmatic necessity, it is essential that ‘lower-risk’ is never treated as ‘no-risk’,” she said.

“Ultimately, victim safety must remain the priority.”

The Commissioner said this requires not only investment in new monitoring tools, but also ensuring the Probation Service has the capacity and expertise to act quickly when warning signs emerge.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

2 days ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

2 days ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.