POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a single-vehicle collision on the A44 near Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth, led to an attempted murder investigation.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened at around 8:50pm on Tuesday, June 30.

A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, domestic abuse and dangerous driving. He remains in police custody.

The investigation is being led by CID and the force’s major crime team, with officers expected to remain in the area over the coming days while enquiries continue.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information, footage or dashcam video to come forward.

Officers would like to hear from anyone who witnessed a disturbance in or around Capel Bangor at the time of the incident, anyone who was travelling on the A44 near Capel Bangor on Tuesday evening, or anyone who may have mobile phone, video or dashcam footage showing the people involved.

They are also asking anyone who can identify others who were present at the location around the time of the incident to contact them.

Information can be submitted through the dedicated investigation page at: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/6325A32-PO1

Alternatively, police can be contacted by emailing [email protected], sending a direct message on social media, or calling 101.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through the charity’s website.

Anyone contacting police should quote reference: DP-20260630-390.

POLICE in Haverfordwest, Fishguard and St Davids are reminding residents that privately owned e-scooters cannot legally be used on roads, pavements or other public spaces.

E-scooters are treated as motor vehicles under road traffic law. This means riders would need to meet the same legal requirements as other motorists, including having a valid licence, insurance and tax.

However, because privately owned e-scooters cannot currently be insured for use on public roads, they cannot legally be ridden in public places. They may only be used on private land, with the permission of the landowner.

Anyone caught riding an e-scooter illegally could face a fixed penalty notice, including a £300 fine and six penalty points for riding without insurance. Riders may also face a fine of up to £100 and three to six penalty points for riding without the correct licence.

Police say riders may also be committing further offences if they are caught riding on pavements, using a mobile phone while riding, going through red lights, or riding while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The penalties for drink or drug riding are treated in the same way as if a person was driving a car, and could include a court-imposed fine, a driving ban or imprisonment.

Officers are urging parents and young people to understand the rules before buying or using an e-scooter.

Ministers say health boards and councils must act now to ease pressure on hospitals, ambulances and social care before winter

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has told NHS Wales and social care partners to start planning earlier for winter, after a difficult year for emergency care and recent heatwave pressure on ambulance services.

Health and Care Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor said the aim was to make ambulance, emergency department and hospital services safer and more resilient during the colder months, while also recognising that pressure on the NHS is no longer confined to winter.

The announcement will be closely watched in west Wales, where Hywel Dda University Health Board runs Withybush, Glangwili, Bronglais and Prince Philip hospitals.

Latest published figures show Hywel Dda performing better than the Wales average on emergency department waits in May, with 66.5% of patients admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours and 9.9% waiting more than 12 hours. However, the health board remains well short of the Welsh Government’s 95% four-hour target, and therapy waiting times in Hywel Dda were worse than the Wales average.

Across Wales, 64.4% of patients attending emergency departments in May spent less than four hours there, while 11,066 patients waited 12 hours or more. Official figures also showed more than 1,300 “pathway of care” delays on the day data was collected, meaning patients were clinically ready to leave hospital but were still waiting for the right care, support or accommodation.

The Welsh Government says this year’s winter plan will focus on five key areas: preventing illness through improved vaccination uptake, keeping more people well at home, freeing up hospital beds through better infection control and earlier discharge, helping patients leave hospital safely when they are ready, and keeping services running under pressure while supporting staff.

An expansion of the RSV vaccine to people aged over 65 who are clinically at risk will begin in September. Ministers also want stronger uptake of vaccination among people at greatest risk, NHS and care staff, and children.

A new communications campaign is also being developed to help people understand where to go for care, so that emergency departments and ambulances are preserved for those with the most serious needs.

Mr ap Gwynfor said: “Our fantastic NHS and social care staff worked incredibly hard last winter, and we are being clear with health boards and partners more needs to be done.

“Last winter was tough. Too many people waited too long for the care they needed, and that’s not good enough. Early planning and action are key, and I’ve also asked officials to begin planning now so we’re better prepared for the winters ahead.

“I am also clear that this is not just a winter challenge. The recent period of extreme heat is a clear reminder that pressures and risk can arise at any time of year.

“Our ambition is simple: safe services all year round that protect ambulance and hospital capacity for those who really need them, ensuring people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”

The statement follows renewed concern from emergency medicine doctors about long waits and so-called corridor care. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has warned that poor patient flow, delayed discharges and a lack of inpatient beds are leaving too many patients stuck in emergency departments for long periods.

The British Medical Association in Wales has also called for clearer recording and reporting of corridor care, arguing that without better data it is harder to understand the scale of the problem and hold decision-makers to account.

There was a further warning last week when the Welsh Ambulance Service declared a critical incident during the extreme heat. The service said 999 call volumes had risen by 31% compared with two weeks earlier, with around 400 additional emergency calls a day. The critical incident was later stood down, but ambulance chiefs said demand remained high.

The political test for the Plaid-led Welsh Government will be whether early planning can translate into visible improvements by winter. Health boards and councils will be expected to work together more closely, but many of the problems ministers are trying to solve depend on social care capacity, staffing, available beds and community services.

For patients and families in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, the key question will be whether the plan leads to shorter ambulance waits, fewer long delays in A&E, and quicker support for people well enough to return home from hospital.