News
Police publish equality objectives
DYFED-POWYS POLICE has this week published its Strategic Equality Objectives for the next four years, 2016 to 2020.
The objectives are six key things decided upon after speaking with communities, others they work with and their workforce, which collectively they believe will help to safeguard our communities, in a way that meets everyone’s needs.
The objectives are:
- To raise awareness of what Hate Crime and Hate Incidents are and how to report them in an attempt to increase the confidence of members of the community to report Hate Crime and Incidents
- To ensure that services are accessible to all minority groups within our communities, and further ensure that they receive the appropriate level of service when they do access them
- To ensure that staff and officers have the appropriate knowledge and resources to take into account our ageing population through service delivery and workforce management
- To provide a high level of service when responding to cases of persons experiencing mental ill health or crisis
- To increase the diversity of our workforce to more accurately reflect the communities we serve, across all ranks and specialisms
- To promote health in the workplace through raising awareness of mental ill health and distress preventative measures, with a view to reduce absence on the grounds of psychological sickness
Deputy Chief Constable Liane James said:“Having specific objectives helps keep everyone’s mind focused and most importantly, ensures that we are developing a service which our communities have had an opportunity to have a say in.
“It’s really important we deliver a service that is accessible to all our communities and is mindful of all our communities’ needs. It is also important that our Officers and Staff are supported to deliver a standard of service that remains amongst the best nationally”
In developing these objectives, the force worked with other organisations in the public and voluntary sector and together, they asked people to think about their lives and things that influence their lives, including crime and access to justice.
Questions asked to participants were:
- What works well?
- What does not currently work so well?
- What would make it better?
Speaking about her organisation’s role in developing this work, Sara Phillips, Charity Manager at Carmarthenshire People First, said: “Carmarthenshire People First were delighted to be tasked with facilitating the Equality Consultation Events in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. We passionately believe in the importance of public engagement. It is important that the people the Force supports and protects have a voice.
“The events were informal and we tried to inject an atmosphere of fun into a serious topic. It is essential that the views of the communities are heard, listened to and part of the Equality Strategy. Engagement promotes ownership and the communities will now have an investment in this strategic document.”
Speaking about her organisation’s role in developing this work, and specifically about how she worked with us to develop and Easy Read version of the strategy, Karen Chandler, Chief Officer at Pembrokeshire People First, said:”We are delighted to be working with Dyfed-Powys Police in the preparation of the easy read version of their Strategic Equality Plan. “Our members, adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, have been very involved in the preparation of the plan, and feel their voices have been heard as to the equalities issues that are a priority for them, and for other vulnerable people. And an easy read version of the plan is an essential, so that PPF members can continue to be “critical friends”, driving forward further improvements in Dyfed-Powys Police’s equalities agenda.”
The publication of these objectives is a refresh of a document originally published in 2012, where the force then set out a number of objectives aimed at improving its stop search process; improving engagement with communities, including young people and enhancing the support it provides internally to ensure the mental wellbeing of Officers and Staff.
How the force did in implementing these objectives can be found in the Strategic Equality Plan 2016 – 2020.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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