News

New 20mph speed limit in St Dogmaels is welcomed

Published

5 years ago

June 28, 2021

Pictured at St Dogmaels are (left to right) Cllr Phillip Hutchings, Chair of St Dogmaels Community Council, Fiona Andrews from St Dogmaels 20 is Plenty for Us, Cllr Phil Baker, Clare Williams, Senior Traffic & Road Safety Engineer, and Cllr Mike James.

NEW 20mph signs have gone up throughout St Dogmaels as part of a Welsh Government trial to reduce the national speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in residential areas.

The village is one of eight settlements chosen from across Wales to trial a consistent and steady 20 mph speed limit in preparation for the proposed national roll out.

It comes as overwhelming evidence shows that lower speeds result in fewer collisions and a reduced severity of injuries; and consistent evidence of a reduction in the number of casualties when 20mph limits are introduced.

Cllr Phil Baker, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said lower speed limits are also the key to healthier streets.

“It creates more opportunities for walking and cycling, and enhances quality of life – families and older people are more likely to stop and chat outdoors when there is slower traffic and the environment is quieter and calmer,” he said.

Local families have welcomed the scheme – pictured is Finley from St Dogmaels 20 is Plenty for Us

The new speed limit has been welcomed by community group St Dogmaels 20 is Plenty for Us. Member Sally Davies, who lives with her young family on the High Street, said: “Living in such a wonderful village with a 20mph speed limit gives myself and my four children greater confidence and happiness to cycle and walk through the village.”

Fellow member Fiona Andrews added: “We are delighted that the new, safer and friendlier 20 mph speed limit has now been rolled out in our village.

“Our traditional streets are very pretty but, like many rural villages, also narrow, and in some sections there are no pavements at all. Local parents with young children and older residents say they will now feel much happier and less stressed getting around the village. There is more freedom and independence for younger locals and less isolation for older residents.

“We are very grateful to Pembrokeshire County Council for all the work that we know has gone in to preparations to introduce the scheme.”

Cllr Mike James, the county councillor for St Dogmaels, said the scheme had been very well received by residents, and that it would also benefit visitors.

Freya from St Dogmaels 20 is Plenty for Us

“We’re proud that St Dogmaels is a popular village and we welcome many visitors throughout the year,” he said. ““The introduction of a 20mph speed limit, encouraging everyone to travel at a lower speed throughout the village, is key to enhancing the community, safety and visitor experience.”

The other pilot settlements in Wales are Abergavenny, Central North Cardiff, Severnside in Monmouthshire, Buckley in Flintshire, Cilfriw in Neath Port Talbot, St Brides Major in Vale of Glamorgan and Llanelli North.

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has announced a significant expansion of its Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams (NPPT), with more officers being deployed to frontline roles where demand is greatest.

From Monday (Mar 16), teams across the force area have been strengthened, with a renewed focus on tackling antisocial behaviour and preventing crime at its source.

The force says the move is aimed at reducing repeat demand by addressing the root causes of offending, rather than simply responding to incidents.

To achieve this, a number of officers have been redeployed from central departments back into frontline policing, while new posts are also being created to bolster capacity.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies, head of uniform policing, said: “These changes are about increasing frontline visibility and ensuring we have the right resources in the right places.

“They form part of a wider programme of improvements across the force to enhance effectiveness and efficiency, while also supporting the wellbeing of our officers and staff.

“This is positive news for our communities, who will benefit from stronger neighbourhood teams focused on local priorities and proactive policing.”

The expansion has been made possible through Home Office funding under the Neighbourhood Guarantee scheme, which is designed to strengthen community safety and crime prevention.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been allocated £1.4 million for 2025/26, enabling the recruitment of police staff and freeing up officers previously in support roles to return to operational duties.

As a result, four sergeants and 29 police officers have now been reassigned to neighbourhood teams across the force.

Each NPPT area will also have a named officer, with full team details available via the ‘Your Area’ section of the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

The force has also secured early access to 2026/27 Neighbourhood Guarantee funding, which will see a further 12 officers recruited between April and the autumn—adding to overall officer numbers in the region.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Neighbourhood policing is about more than numbers—it’s about relationships.

“Greater visibility helps build trust, strengthens community ties, and reassures the public that policing is present, responsive, and committed to keeping people safe.

“I remain committed to improving police visibility across our communities, and these additional officers will help turn that ambition into reality.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.