News

National innovation honour for Commissioner’s office

Published

10 years ago

November 4, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Christopher Salmon: Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyed-Powys.

THE OFFICE of Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon has been highly commended in a national study of innovation.

It was the only Welsh office to be shortlisted for honours in the review of PCC teams across England and Wales by independent analyst CoPaCC. The Dyfed-Powys success comes six months after an award for public engagement and 10 months after an honour for transparency. Mr Salmon said: “Innovation is being used to put the public first across Dyfed-Powys. My office puts much effort into this and is eager to continue looking at improvements to reflect evolving public needs.” Bernard Rix, chief executive of CoPaCC, said: “Dyfed-Powys is among those most successfully demonstrating significant progress on the innovation journey.”

CoPaCC published a detailed innovation report this summer and today revealed that Mr Salmon’s office was one of three to be highly commended. The others were Northamptonshire and Surrey. Innovations by Mr Salmon include the Commissioner’s Fund, new links with academia and a mental health triage unit. Launched in summer 2013, the Commissioner’s Fund offers grants of up to £5,000 to community initiatives that develop ideas with a positive impact on the area they serve. Its first two rounds, in summer 2013 and spring 2014, saw £161,000 distributed to 46 projects. Round three is now open for bids. An example of linking with academics is the new Centre for Rural Policing and Justice. Mr Salmon said: “This combines the best of practice in rural policing (done every day in Dyfed-Powys) and the best thinking about rural policing (done every day in our universities).

Get it right and we’ll be able to support police decisions better, widen academic evidence behind policing and give opportunities to staff on both sides to improve their skills.” Meanwhile, the triage scheme will see two vehicles staffed by police and with facilities for mental health nurses. They will help those in mental distress when involved in an incident. Dyfed Powys Police said that there is a lot of positive news for the force contained in the report. Chief Constable Simon Prince said, “In Dyfed Powys we put the victim at the centre of all our decision making, they are our priority and we seek to do our absolute best for them, providing a high level of service that people have come to expect. “Through consultation and knowing what matters to our residents we have tailored the priorities of the force accordingly, focusing on the areas of work that are important to the communities within Dyfed Powys.

Unlike many forces in the UK we investigate every crime and do our best to provide a first class professional service throughout the investigation, seeking a positive outcome where ever possible. “Over the last year we have been restructuring and streamlining the way that we support our front line officers, reducing the level of bureaucracy and making things as straightforward and as easy as possible for information to be completed, shared and processed quickly, safely and effectively.A high percentage of our residents think we are doing a good job to safeguard our communities and are satisfied with the level of service that we provide. “We know that there are some areas where we can improve even further, and we have put plans in place to ensure that this happens. “I want people to be reassured that Dyfed Powys Police is a high performing police force and does it best to go the extra mile to safeguard our communities.”

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

14 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

15 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.

Community

Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success

Published

16 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.

Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.

The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.