News

Councillor asked to ‘reflect’ on his behaviour

Published

5 years ago

July 16, 2021

COUNCILLOR Josh Beynon has been asked to ‘reflect’ on his behaviour following recent press articles.

Cllr Beynon was called out after a number of ‘inapropriate’ Tik-Tok videos were seen which are being investigated by the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales.

At a meeting of the council on Thursday, July 15, councillors were being asked to consider ‘Diversity in Democracy’.

A declaration, drawn up by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), calls for councils to become more diverse and also stated that councillors should have a duty of care to other members by taking a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment

Councillor Jamie Adams said all councillors had experienced abuse but added it was their own behaviour that would sometimes influence that abuse.

He was stopped short by Councillor Simon Hancock who told him not to go down that route.

Cllr Adams responded saying: “We have all got a responsibility to uphold standards and not bring this council into disrepute.”

Cllr Beynon had previously highlighted some of the abuse he had received from the public and added: “There is no place in Pembrokeshire for it and certainly no place in Pembrokeshire County Council for it. I call on all members to call out hate in their communities whenever they see it.”

Cllr Simon Hancock said that abuse in any form was ‘completely unacceptable’.

While many councillors said they were supportive of the declaration drawn up by the WLGA, some added that while they were also supportive of it, they were unhappy with some of the wording that had been presented to them.

Cllr Jacob Williams said they could not agree to the declaration as it contained a number of statements that were not in the remit of the council.

Cllr Paul Dowson added that the council was in danger of ‘over-prescribing’ and said: “The democratic process is open to anyone. We seem to be seeking out discrimination when in many places it doesn’t exist.”

Cllr Paul Harries added that while he did not want to delay the process the ideas that had come out in the meeting needed to be considered further.

Cllr Jonathan Preston said: “It is not for the state to cast out a net. We could be drifting into areas that we shouldn’t be. There is a list of obstacles but it is up to us to address that. We need to display evidence of being inclusive.”

An amendment was made by Cllr Reg Owens who suggested that the paper be sent back to the Democratic Services Committee for more work and clarification.

That was supported by 27 votes, with 21 voting against and one person abstaining.

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

1 hour 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

2 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.