News

Volunteers praised by Police Commissioner

Published

12 years ago

February 20, 2014

VOLUNTEERS across Dyfed-Powys have been praised by Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon.

He said their efforts on behalf of his office were helping to protect vulnerable people and ensure high standards of professionalism at Dyfed-Powys Police.

Mr Salmon, who oversees two volunteer initiatives, is launching a third and shares another with Chief Constable Simon Prince, said: “The success of these schemes is down to the commitment and dedication of our volunteers.

“They provide the public with confidence that standards and rights are protected. Their flexibility, support and dedication to the schemes are greatly appreciated.”

The praise comes in the Commissioner’s first annual report on the volunteer schemes.

It outlines the work carried out by his Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) and Animal Welfare Scheme volunteers, along with the Independent Advisory Group which acts as a critical friend to the Commissioner and Chief Constable. Mr Salmon also outlines his hopes for a new Residents’ Panel to scrutinise the work of the police force’s public complaints operation.

The Dyfed-Powys ICV scheme sees volunteers visit custody suites to check on the wellbeing of detainees and to ensure that their rights are upheld. The Animal Welfare Scheme looks at the conditions of police dogs.ICVs undertook 147 custody visits from November 2012-December 2013, seeing 155 detainees. In Haverfordwest there were 25 visits which saw 60 detainees.

Issues raised included intercoms not working and the cleanliness of cells. The Commissioner continues to hold the Chief Constable to account for an action plan for improving detainee care.

Animal Welfare Volunteers undertook 21 visits from November 2012-December 2013. In one visit to Pembrokeshire there were seven handlers with 10 dogs. In both schemes, issues raised by volunteers are considered by police inspectors and updates are provided to the Commissioner.

There are 25 ICVs and six Animal Welfare volunteers – and new volunteer applications are always welcome.

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

3 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

3 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

3 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.