Crime
Police prepared for mass west Wales youth gathering after social media alerts
SOUTH WALES POLICE were expecting a group of around 150 youths from Carmarthenshire who arrived en masse in Swansea, a meeting has heard.
News of the planned gathering had circulated on social media the day before and was picked up by officers monitoring online activity.
Superintendent Mark Kavanagh said it was one of two planned mass gatherings which the force had become aware of through social media.
“They had all jumped on the train in Llanelli,” he said. “We knew it was coming.”
He said police resources were put in place in advance, along with a dispersal order giving officers powers to move people on from a defined area.
Supt Kavanagh was speaking at a Swansea Council committee meeting, which heard about the work of the multi-agency Safer Swansea Partnership. The group aims to make Swansea a safer and more welcoming place for residents and visitors.
The partnership has six key priorities, including reducing neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour, which formed a major part of the discussion.
Supt Kavanagh said the overall trend in reducing anti-social behaviour in Swansea was “very, very positive”.
However, he added that police were concerned about some young people in their early to mid-teens who were “on the cusp of engaging in violent crime” and other criminality.
He said police in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot were keen to avoid the situation seen in Cardiff, where stabbings involving young people had, he said, become very common. A dedicated serious violence board had now been set up to help tackle the issue.
Turning to anti-social behaviour, South Wales Police imposed a 48-hour dispersal order covering much of Swansea city centre last week following a rise in incidents over the Easter holidays.
Supt Kavanagh said the criteria for such orders were very strict and that they were not used lightly.
He said that in the previous six weeks large gatherings of youths had led to two police officers being assaulted, with one requiring medical attention, while a 71-year-old man had also been pushed to the ground.
“We’ve had a serious assault between two young people which was filmed and then broadcast on social media,” he said.
Cllr Chris Holley said he understood the reason for dispersal orders but was concerned they could put people off visiting the city centre.
He added: “The vast majority of youngsters in this city are great.”
Supt Kavanagh said police officers, community support officers and neighbourhood beat managers were very good at building rapport with young people, and that officers were also trying to get the message out to parents to remain vigilant.
Speaking during the recent dispersal order, Acting Chief Inspector Andrew Hedley said: “We stress that it is only a small cohort of young people who are engaging in this anti-social behaviour, and we do not want to deter the others from coming to the town centre and enjoying all it has to offer.”
Cllr Mike White said anti-social behaviour data showed an overall reduction in Swansea in 2025-26, but questioned whether this was being felt across all neighbourhoods.
Supt Kavanagh said the downward trend had been seen in Townhill, Gorseinon, Eastside and Morriston, among other areas.
He said there were also very localised hotspots, including Penlan, where a parking dispute had caused problems for the authorities. Swansea beach and the area behind Clydach Library were also highlighted as areas of concern.
The superintendent said he was particularly pleased with the willingness of partner organisations to support an operation in the Dyfatty area of the city, which a report before the scrutiny programme committee said had led to arrests and drug warrants.
Senior council officers also outlined prevention work being carried out by their teams, including youth club activities, talks in comprehensive schools and targeted support for young people whose behaviour was at risk of escalating.
Reducing substance misuse and drug-related deaths in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot is another of the partnership’s six priorities, and a rise in the use of ketamine was noted at the meeting.
Matthew Rafferty, from the area planning board which coordinates substance use services in the two counties, said heroin was less of a concern than previously, but warned that “poly-drug” use — involving more than one substance at the same time — was becoming a significant issue.
He said ketamine use among people aged 16 to 24 nationally had increased by more than 200 per cent since 2013, and that prices of around £10 per gram in some areas were significantly lower than cocaine.
He added that users frequently underestimated ketamine’s harms.
Julie Davies, the council’s head of child and family services, said a range of support was available to parents and young people, including fast-tracking to a specialist community drug and alcohol team.
She said the level of need was clear.
“Specifically we are finding crack cocaine among our families in Swansea,” she said.
Crime
Man, 37, found dead following major police response in Pembroke Dock
Death not being treated as suspicious as police make statutory referral to IOPC following active investigation
A 37-YEAR-OLD man has been found dead at Warrior Way in Pembroke Dock.
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers attended the area at around 7pm on Sunday, July 19, after concerns were raised for the welfare of an individual.
There was a significant police presence in the area, with several units positioned at the scene on Sunday and further police activity continuing into Monday.
The scale of the response prompted speculation among members of the public about the nature of the incident.
Police have now confirmed that the man was found deceased and that his death is not being treated as suspicious.
His next of kin have been informed.
HM Coroner has been advised, and officers will continue to assist with the coroner’s investigation.
The matter has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because the man had been involved in an active police investigation.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the referral was made in line with the IOPC’s statutory referral criteria.
Such referrals are required in certain circumstances and do not, in themselves, indicate that police officers or staff are suspected of wrongdoing.
Crime
Police praise teacher’s ‘exceptional courage’ following Milford school stabbing verdict
Detectives say it was “pure good fortune” the victim did not suffer even more serious injuries during the classroom attack
POLICE have praised the bravery of a teacher who was attacked with a knife at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, saying the emotional impact of the incident “cannot be underestimated”.
A 16-year-old boy was convicted at Swansea Crown Court of wounding with intent and unlawful wounding following the attack on Thursday, February 5.
The jury cleared him of attempted murder. He had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a knife.
The teenager, who cannot be identified because of his age, was 15 when the incident took place.
At approximately 3.20pm, he approached the teacher and asked for assistance with schoolwork before following her into a classroom.
He then attacked her while armed with a knife.
The teacher managed to disarm the pupil despite sustaining injuries which required hospital treatment. She later recovered from her physical injuries.
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers and other emergency services swiftly attended the school, where pupils and staff were safeguarded and a lockdown was put in place.
The teenager was traced and arrested shortly afterwards. He was charged on February 7 and remanded in custody ahead of his trial.
Following the verdicts, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Sarah Totterdale commended the victim for attending court and giving evidence about the attack.
She said: “Firstly, I would like to commend the bravery shown by the victim in this case.
“What happened to her on February 5 must have been a truly terrifying ordeal, so to have to attend court and relive that experience has taken exceptional courage.
“It is thanks to pure good fortune that she did not sustain even worse injuries, but the emotional impact cannot be underestimated.
“We would like to thank her for her assistance throughout this investigation.”
DI Totterdale said the incident had also deeply affected pupils, teachers and the wider Milford Haven community.
She added: “This incident understandably had a profound impact on other students and teachers at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, as well as the wider community.
“Fortunately, we were able to promptly attend the school, ensure the safeguarding of pupils and teachers, and apprehend the offender.”
She also thanked the emergency services, school staff, parents, pupils, Pembrokeshire County Council and members of the community for their support and patience during the investigation and subsequent court proceedings.
DI Totterdale said: “I hope that, with the trial now concluded, the victim in this case can begin to obtain some closure from this incident, and that Milford Haven Comprehensive School can continue passionately teaching, learning and thriving together in a safe environment.”
The teenager will return to Swansea Crown Court to be sentenced on Thursday, September 3.
Crime
Public appeal after man arrested over laptops taken for repair and not returned
Trading Standards takes lead in investigation into alleged fraud and theft in Milford Haven and Haverfordwest
A MAN has been arrested as part of an investigation into allegations that laptops and other electronic devices were taken for repair but not returned to their owners.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers had received reports of alleged fraudulent activity and theft in the Milford Haven and Haverfordwest areas between September 2025 and April 2026.
A man in his 30s from the Milford Haven area was arrested in connection with the incidents and has since been released on conditional bail.
Trading Standards has now taken primacy of the investigation, with Dyfed-Powys Police continuing to assist.
The police statement was issued in response to questions from The Herald concerning complaints linked to Computer Solutions Wales.
Police did not name the business in their statement and have not confirmed that every complaint involving Computer Solutions Wales forms part of the current investigation.
However, The Herald has previously been contacted by a number of people who said they handed laptops, computers or other electronic equipment to the business for repair but were subsequently unable to recover their property or obtain refunds.
Some customers claimed they had spent months attempting to secure the return of their devices, while others said they had previously reported their experiences to the police or Trading Standards.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police are investigating a series of alleged fraudulent activity and theft in the Milford Haven and Haverfordwest areas.
“Reports included electronic devices, such as laptops, being taken for repair and not returned between September 2025 and April 2026.
“A man in his 30s, from the Milford Haven area, was arrested in relation to these incidents and released on conditional bail.
“Trading Standards have taken primacy of the investigation and officers will continue to assist them.”
Anyone who dealt with Computer Solutions Wales, or another computer repair operation in the Milford Haven or Haverfordwest areas, and believes a device was taken but not returned during the relevant period is being urged to make a report.
People with information that could assist the investigation are also being asked to come forward.
Reports should be made to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service.
The service can be contacted online at:
Alternatively, the Citizens Advice consumer helpline can be contacted on 0808 223 1133.
Anyone making a report should provide as much supporting evidence as possible, including receipts, invoices, bank transfers, emails, text messages, photographs, details of the equipment concerned and any previous police or Trading Standards reference numbers.
The arrested man has not been charged, and the allegations have not been tested before a court.
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