News

Council’s wellbeing champion shares concern for future of pools and leisure centres

Published

3 years ago

January 21, 2023

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council’s Wellbeing Champion and Welsh Conservative Group Councillor Rhys Jordan has shared concerns about the future viability of the council’s swimming pools and leisure centres amid rising energy costs.
It comes as figures collated by the trade body UK Active show that in the past year, 29 leisure centres, pools or gyms have closed temporarily or permanently because of rising energy prices.
Additionally, more than 300 others have mitigated against higher bills, including by reducing their hours, increasing their fees or lowering pool temperatures.
Councillor Jordan said that “keeping our counties leisure’s centres open is vitally important for not only the physical well-being of the people of Pembrokeshire, but their mental wellbeing also”
In a recent release to the BBC, a government spokesperson said in response to the situation it was providing businesses and non-domestic energy users “an unprecedented £18bn package of support this winter.”
The spokesperson added: “On top of this, we have pledged to continue energy support from April onwards through our Energy Bills Discount Scheme.”
Councillor Jordan – County Councillor for St Mary Out Liberty and St Florence – pressed councillor officers for a response for this matter and Dr Steven Jones, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Director of Community Services said “I can confirm there are no plans to close council run swimming pools this winter.”
Councillor Jordan said that “as energy costs continue to rise, it’s now vitally important that our leisure centres are run efficiently, focusing on encouraging new members to join whilst ensuring we continue to raise standards for existing members. Thus achieving our goals of keeping Pembrokeshire’s residents more active, more often”

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.