Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

In September, Dyfed Powys Police are recruiting officers and community support officers and are asking residents do you have what it takes to help us safeguard our communities? Chief Constable Simon Prince said, “We want to increase the number of police officers that we have in our communities and are asking people to join us. We know where we need more officers so we are being very specific in the recruitment process. Over the last year we have been asking people living in our more rural communities what they want from us as a police service, and one of the answers was quite simply, more officers on patrol. “It isn’t an easy job, and it will not suit everyone. To help people find out more information about what the job entails we are holding a series of familiarisation events in the communities where we are recruiting. People who are interested in finding out more can also speak to their local police team.” Chief Constable Prince added, “Being a police officer is a rewarding job, we m...

The high number of collisions involving motorbikes in both North Wales and Dyfed Powys Police areas has led the Chief Constables of both Forces to make the following joint statement: This year has seen a significant number of motorcyclists return to North, Mid and West Wales to make the most of the scenery and facilities that Wales has to offer, helped of course by the fine weather that we have all enjoyed. Unfortunately, though we are seeing a significant increase this year in the number of motorcyclists killed and seriously injured on our roads, with 16 fatalities across both of the policing areas of North Wales and Dyfed Powys Police and a further 72 motorcyclists seriously injured as a result of collisions. Amongst the most common reasons for the collisions are rider error and excessive speed, particularly on bends. This year’s increase is a very real public safety concern and a priority for both police forces. Our approach on enforcement has not changed; we will robustly enfo...

Agencies in Carmarthenshire got together to discuss the opportunity they have to transform the lives of offenders in Carmarthenshire, with the launch of the Integrated Offender Management Scheme (IOM). IOM is all about the intensive management of priority offenders who represent the highest levels of risk, threat and harm to our community by recognising the factors that can lead to offending taking place. It aims to reduce crime, reduce levels of reoffending, improve public confidence in the criminal justice system and tackle the exclusion of offenders and their families. The event included presentations from Tony Kirk, the Welsh Government IOM Lead; Kate Thomas, Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership Manager; Ella Rabaiotti, Assistant Chief Executive of the Wales Community Rehabilitation Company, and Supt Robyn Mason, Territorial Police Commander for Carmarthenshire. The delegates took part in a speed dating style meet and great with the IOM experts and agencies to find out more...

Dyfed-Powys Police Force has issued the following press release to remind homeowners in Llanelli to protect their garden sheds and outbuildings -  As the weather gets warmer and people start to work in their garden sheds, we usually see an increase in the number of reported thefts from gardens and sheds across the force. Officers are now asking residents across Llanelli to help us prevent that by following some simple steps to become more property security conscious. “Garden sheds are too often easy targets for criminals,” said Detective Sergeant Anthony Panter. “This is a great concern to the police because it is clear that shed thefts can be prevented if a reasonable level of security was put in place. We are encouraging people to install good quality locks to all garden sheds and also to property mark their equipment using UV marker pens, paint or engraving. “I’d also urge residents to photograph any expensive garden items they may have and make a note of any serial numb...

Dyfed-Powys police force chief inspector Mrs Angela Reed was the guest speaker at the weekly meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club held at the Stradey Park Hotel. Chief Inspector Reed gave a very informative and entertaining talk on modern day policing. The vote of thanks was given by past president Richard Thomas. Chief Inspector Reed is pictured with Llanelli Rotary Club president Alan Owen (left) and senior vice-president Ken Abban.

With less than three weeks to go before the Police and Crime Commissioner elections, voters in the Dyfed Powys Police area are reminded that they will have a straight choice between two candidates. Dyfed Powys is one of the few areas in the country where only two candidates are standing for election on November 15. Elsewhere where there are two or more candidates, a Supplementary Vote system will operate whereby each voter will have the opportunity to vote for the first and second choice candidates. Police Area Returning Officer Bryn Parry-Jones said: “This will not be the case in Dyfed Powys. As there are only two candidates standing, voters have a straightforward choice and will be asked to make their selection using only one cross as in a General Election.” To take part in the election, householders must be registered to vote. The deadline for this is Wednesday, October 31 – the same day as the deadline for postal vote application forms. The two candidates in the Dyfed Powys Police ...

Carmarthenshire County Council is to write a letter to Dyfed Powys Police and volunteers who joined the search for missing five-year-old April Jones to thank them for their efforts. Council Chair Cllr Siân Thomas made the suggestion at full council meeting and was unanimously backed by members. She said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Dyfed Powys Police who have been under huge pressure. They’ve been working very hard in strained and difficult circumstances, and I’d like to write to a letter on our behalf thanking them for their efforts.” Deputy Leader Cllr Pam Palmer suggested that the council also write to the Mayor of Machynlleth to express the council’s admiration of the town’s community spirit, as well as the work of police officers. “The work they have done over the last 10 days, first with hope and then despair – has raised the profile of Wales and Dyfed Powys Police beyond recognition,” she said. “They’ve performed absolutely wonderfully. Police go through training...

Missing Girl in Machynlleth – Photo released | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police have released photographs of missing five year old April Jones who was last seen playing with her friend on their bikes near to garages in Machynlleth town at around 19:30hrs this evening (Monday). April was seen getting into a light coloured van or van sized vehicle which then drove off. Police ask anyone with any information to call them on 101.

Dyfed Powys Police’s newest CSOs step out on the beat | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys The latest group of 12 new Community Support Officers (CSOs) have joined Dyfed Powys Police and are now on the beat throughout the force area. The new CSOs are being funded by the Welsh Government, which has made funding an additional 500 CSOs across Wales one of its top five priorities. The new recruits will play a vital role in tackling anti-social behaviour and crime in communities throughout mid and west Wales.

Body of Missing Person Found in Pembrokeshire | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police have found a body that they believe to be the missing person Ian Pearson from Salford, who was reported missing from the Little Haven area by his family on Wednesday.

Missing person: Ian Pearson | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed-Powys Police is appealing for information to locate 41 year-old male who was last seen at 9:45am on Wednesday 12 September 2012 at Little Haven. Ian Pearson is described as white, 6' tall, clean shaven, broad build with black short cropped hair. He is wearing a predominantly red cricket shirt which has black running down the sides and dark coloured Adidas jogging bottoms. He is thought to be on foot as he left Little Haven in company with his two dogs - both border collies, red and white and black and white in colour. Anyone who has information relating to this case is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police via the single non emergency number 101.

Elderly residents are warned about latest scam involving a euromillions online lottery | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed Powys Police are warning elderly residents not to be drawn in to revealing bank details after reports of a lottery scam operating in the Cross Hands area. Officers there have been contacted by several people who have received letters from the ‘Euromillions Commonwealth of Nations Online Lottery’ advising them of surprise wins.

Fraudster gets sent down | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Thanks to a complex and protracted investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police a prolific fraudster has been sent to prison for 15 months after appearing at Swansea Crown Court. James Joseph Warren, 57, from the Carshalton area in Surrey, pleaded guilty following his deception of selling forged football memorabilia.

Metal thefts targeted across Wales in new operation | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Operation Tornado is being launched across Wales in a bid to crack down on metal theft. All four Welsh Police Forces are taking part in the operation, which has already seen successes in other parts of the UK. All scrap metal dealers in Wales will be approached and encouraged to take part in a scheme where they only buy scrap metal from individuals that are able to provide photographic proof of their identity.

Dyfed Powys Police’s PCSOs handed extra powers | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) across Dyfed-Powys have been given additional powers to effectively deal with incidents they face. As part of the introduction of a new Territorial Policing Model, Dyfed Powys Police has reviewed Neighbourhood Policing and made changes to ensure that it supports the core principle that the public and problems local communities face will be at the heart of Local Policing.

BBC News - Police appeal after pedal cyclist and lorry collide between Carmarthen and St Clears A cyclist has suffered serious injuries in a road crash with a lorry in Carmarthenshire. Police have appealed for witnesses to the collision on the A40 between Carmarthen and St Clears in Carmarthenshire on Wednesday. A spokesperson said the man suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to hospital.

Cold calling and internet fraud – if in doubt, keep them out! | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed Powys Police are working in partnership with other agencies and our community safety partnerships to tackle the rising problem of cold calling and internet fraud. A police spokesman said: "We have seen an increase of more than 100% in the reported number of these types of offences throughout the force area in 2011-12, and it is estimated that approximately 40% of victims will have lost money."

Cannabis cultivation: Warning to landlords and public | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys Dyfed-Powys Police are urging landlords and members of the public to be on the look out for people using premises for illegal activity. This call is part of a response to the three males – not local to the area – arrested and charged with offences of cultivation/production in Pembrokeshire last week.

Dyfed-Powys police make it into Private Eye (first week of June issue) - • As forces "adapt" services to meet the funding cuts, Dyfed Powys has decided to close seven police stations to reach its £13m target. One of them is the £2.5m Ammanford station in Carmarthenshire, built under a PFI scheme in 2001, complete with its state-of-the-art custody suite with see-through toilets to retrieve, for example, drugs. Unfortunately, according to insiders, the custody suite has been woefully underused since a death in custody not long after it opened. A half-used building was perhaps an obvious target for closure; but it leaves people in swathes of north Carmarthenshire without access to a police station - while still facing the staggering £15m bill for the white elephant before the PFI deal ends in 2030. Brilliant!

Wildlife and Environmental concerns during Holidays | Dyfed Powys Police | Heddlu Dyfed Powys During the holidays earlier this year Sergeant Matthew Howells, Wildlife and Environmental Crime Sergeant for Dyfed Powys Police, noticed that several calls were made to the police regarding children and adults displaying anti-social behaviour at public parks and attractions where there was wildlife on display. In particular, there were calls regarding children throwing stones at ducks and swans on rivers and canals and adults encouraging their dogs to swim after ducks on ponds. Matthew would like to remind the public that the animals are there for pleasure not persecution.