News

Community mourns death of popular primary school pupil, Zac

Published

4 years ago

July 3, 2022

A YOUNG BOY in his final weeks at primary school, tragically lost his life after an incident at Angle Beach on Friday (Jul 1).

Zac Thompson, 11, was swept into the sea along with his elder brother and a friend.

The other two lads managed to swim to safety, but Zac got into difficulty.

Following rescue attempts by brave members of the public, Zac was carried to land but was unconscious.

Emergency services stabilised him, and he was flown to hospital.

Zac Thompson sadly passed away on Saturday (Family photo)

Despite the best efforts of the medical team at Heath Hospital in Cardiff, he sadly passed away on Saturday.

Pembroke Dock Community School said on Facebook: “With the permission of the family, it is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Zac Thompson, who was a popular and much-loved character in Year 6 at Pembroke Dock Community School.

“He excelled academically, in particular in maths, who loved to solve complex mental maths challenges (keeping staff on their toes).

“He was also a talented sportsman. Zac recently played exceptionally well in cricket, helping the school get through to the area finals, which are due to be played this week.

“He had a cheeky smile, was funny and was looking forward to his final weeks in primary school, the summer holidays and all the opportunities that were open to him as he moved on to secondary school.

“Zac had a huge zest for life!”

Pembrokeshire Primary Schools Cricket Finals @HaverfordwestCC held a minutes applause in memory of Zac Thompson before start of play who should have been playing at the finals
today for@PDCSPrimary pic.twitter.com/jGM3UIZXPn
— Sport Pembrokeshire / Chwaraeon Sir Benfro (@sportpembs) July 4, 2022

“One sweet memory of him was when he was in Year 3, and it was Superhero Day. Zac came to school dressed as his favourite superhero – his Mum.

“Zac said: ‘Not all superheroes wear capes!’”

“This is a dreadfully sad time for his family, and our love, thoughts and prayers are with both his family and his wide circle of friends, who will miss his big character and mischievous nature.

“There will be many staff on hand to support the learners on Monday and beyond this week.

“We are heartbroken, Zac was a lovely young man, a valued pupil and will be greatly missed!”

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said “We were called on Friday 01 July at 9:17pm to reports of an incident in Angle Bay, Pembrokeshire. We sent one emergency ambulance and a duty operations manager to the scene.”

Dyfed Powys Police confirmed the following: “We were called to West Angle Bay, Angle, Pembrokeshire, at 9.25pm on Friday, July 1, following reports a child had been rescued from the water after experiencing difficulties.

“The child, 11-year-old Zac Thompson from the Pembroke Dock area, was airlifted to hospital where he sadly passed away.”

The Fire Service were not called to the incident.

Zac came to school dressed as his favourite superhero – his Mum

A fundraiser has been set up to support Zac’s family:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/katie-jones-917

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

40 minutes 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

45 minutes 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.