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Do you know how to safely get rid of an old kitchen knife?

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THAT’S the question from Dyfed-Powys Police during a national week of action to tackle knife crime.

The campaign, known as Operation Sceptre, runs from today (Monday, November 9) until Sunday (November 15) and aims to keep knives and blades out of circulation, while also increasing awareness about the dangers of carrying knives.

During the week, people are being encouraged to leave unwanted knives in amnesty bins at police stations across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys

The force also wants people to know how to safely dispose of knives and blades outside of the amnesty period, and to urge anyone involved in a household clearance, or those who would consider leaving knives at a charity shop, to instead bring them to a recycling centre for safe disposal.

Inspector Andrew Williams, said: “Dyfed-Powys remains a safe place to live, work and visit, and thankfully we don’t face the level of knife crime other areas see.

“For this campaign we are changing our approach to focus on keeping knives that could travel to other areas, out of criminal hands.

“It can be difficult to know the right thing to do with an old knife when you buy a new set, or inherit them from a relative.

“We want anyone involved in household clearances, people with elderly relatives, and charity shops, to know they can take unwanted or donated knives to the tip.”

The force is also encouraging a common sense approach to selling knives and blades, after credit card blades were handed in to them during a previous amnesty.

When officers visited a store in Haverfordwest, they were presented with a box containing 42 black plastic items around the size of a credit card.

On opening the card, a hidden blade was revealed which could lock in place.

Knives with a lockable blade are illegal to carry, so officers took the items away to be destroyed.

Insp Williams said: “Many types of blades are legal to sell, but have a questionable purpose.

“We will be working with retailers to discuss the law, and what is sensible.

“We will also be working with schools, colleges and youth clubs to reinforce the message about the dangers of carrying knives among young people.

“Carrying a knife is a crime which brings that added risk that a minor issue can escalate into something much more serious and potentially life changing.

“The damage caused by knives, not just to the victim and their families, but also to the wider community, can be devastating.

“We will be doing all we can to keep knives out of the wrong hands.

“While Dyfed-Powys has not experienced the high volume of knife-related incidents seen in other forces, we are supporting our police colleagues nationally by taking part in Operation Sceptre.

“Our force has a lower rate of knife crime than the national average – in the year ending March 2018, there were 31 crimes involving knives per 100,000 of the population in Dyfed-Powys.

“Across Wales, this figure stands at 37, and nationally there were 69 knife crimes per 100,000 people during the same period.”

Local stations taking part:

Haverfordwest Police Station
Pembroke Dock Station
Cardigan Police Station

Crime

Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case

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A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).

On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.

When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.

Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.

Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).

While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.

After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.

The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.

“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory. 

“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.

“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.

“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”

On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life. 

If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

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Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police

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DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”

In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed. 
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly. 
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”

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Business

Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’

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THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.

“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”

Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”

“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”

Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.

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