News

Angle RNLI assist two yachts requiring assistance in two days

Published

3 years ago

September 18, 2023

THE ANGLE All-Weather Lifeboat was requested to launch at 3:27pm on Wednesday afternoon following 999 calls to the coastguard reporting a yacht had hit the western end of the South Hook LNG terminal. Initial concerns were that the yacht was stuck to the terminal and what damage had been caused.
The lifeboat launched and made the short journey to the casualty vessel who was now away from the terminal. A passing boat had offered assistance, before a range safety vessel also responded and passed a line to the yacht at the request of Milford Haven VTS.

The lifeboat went alongside the yacht to assess for damage, water ingress or injuries but apart from a few scratches and some sail damage all was well onboard. With little wind, and a faulty engine the yacht had been taken towards the terminal with the flooding tide. With no means of propulsion and not being able to sail, the vessel was taken in tow up the Haven towards the Cleddau Bridge where a workboat from Rudders Boatyard had been arranged to rendezvous with the lifeboat and take over the tow back to their pontoon.

After a 40 minute tow, the vessel was safely handed over to Rudders staff and the lifeboat was stood down to return to station where she was readied for service once again by 5:30pm.

The following day, the crew had launched to rendezvous with Tenby Lifeboat in the Stackpole Head area for a planned towing exercise. Shortly after completing their successful exercise, the lifeboat was just passing St Govan’s Head bound for Angle when the Coastguard tasked the crew to assist a yacht with two persons onboard in a position south of Skokholm Island. The yacht had a fuel leak, and following concerns from Milford Haven VTS regarding pollution the lifeboat was requested to assess the vessel and assist as appropriate.

The lifeboat made the 40 minute journey to the vessel’s last reported position and once on scene an assessment was made. The skipper of the yacht confirmed that it was his fuel tank that was leaking and he was unable to effect a repair.

The engine was stopped in an attempt to slow the leak and contain it to the yachts bilges. With little wind to sail, the yacht was taken under tow and safely placed alongside in the lock pits at Milford Marina around 90 minutes later. With no further assistance required, the lifeboat and her crew were stood down to return to station where she was readied for service again by 3pm.

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

4 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

4 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.