NFU Cymru calls for Dyfed-Powys Police Rural Crime Inspector
A renewed call has been made for greater police leadership in tackling rural crime in Dyfed-Powys.
NFU Cymru is urging Dyfed-Powys Police to appoint a dedicated Rural Crime Inspector to strengthen its response to offences affecting the countryside.
The request was made during a meeting held on Wednesday, June 11, at Blaencennen Farm in Gwynfe, Llangadog, as part of NFU Cymru's fourth annual Welsh Farming Week.
NFU Cymru's rural crime lead, Garry Williams addressed the issue directly to Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn.
Mr Williams said: "We have made a very clear ask of Dyfed-Powys Police to implement a Rural Crime Inspector with a primary focus on criminal activities affecting farmers and rural businesses, particularly organised crime.
"The inspector would also have responsibility for managing the wider DPP rural crime team and help ensure a co-ordinated approach across the area.
"As farmers, we believe there to be a huge advantage in the person filling this role already being embedded in our rural community and having a good working knowledge of the problems our members are encountering."
The meeting was attended by members of the Dyfed-Powys Rural Crime Team and focused on issues including quad bike and machinery thefts, livestock thefts, dog attacks on livestock, and fly-tipping.
Attendees highlighted the practical, financial, and emotional impact of these crimes on farming families.
There were also reports of threats of violence, raising concerns about personal safety for farmers and their families.
NFU Cymru believes a Rural Crime Inspector would help better coordinate the work of rural crime officers and provide a more focused approach to tackling these challenges.
The union has also requested a meeting with the new chief constable for Dyfed-Powys Police once the post is permanently filled later this year.
While Mr Llywelyn explained that the creation of the inspector role was outside his remit, he committed to raising the request with the Interim Chief Constable and the All-Wales Rural and Wildlife Coordinator, Rob Taylor.
He also emphasised that rural crime remains a priority for the force and that changes are being made to improve the speed and efficiency of their response.
PC Ashleigh Jones from the Dyfed-Powys Rural Crime Team discussed crime prevention measures and encouraged farmers to consider how criminals operate, taking steps to make theft more difficult.
She also stressed the need for all incidents to be reported to police.
PCSO Billy Dunne outlined his engagement work with local farmers and demonstrated the use of SelectaDNA marking on equipment, which can help deter theft and assist in recovery.
He also advised farmers to fit trackers to high-value items such as quad bikes.
Hefin Jones, NFU Cymru Carmarthenshire county chairman, said: "This was a timely meeting given the spotlight that has been shone on areas of rural crime in West Wales in recent weeks.
"We are grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn and members on the local rural crime team for attending today for a candid discussion about the challenges in tackling rural crime, prevention tactics we can all employ on farm, as well as the opportunities to improve communication and work together."
Mr Williams confirmed that NFU Cymru will formalise its request to Dyfed-Powys Police in the coming days.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Wales Online
Cocaine dealer kept his stash hidden in child's car seat
Cocaine dealer kept his stash hidden in child's car seat Andrew Howse initially 'threw his partner under the bus' when he was pulled over by police Andrew Howse (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police ) A cocaine dealer kept his stash of deals hidden in a child's car seat, a court has heard. When Andrew Howse was pulled over by police he initially "threw his partner under the bus" by telling police the car was hers and he knew nothing about the drugs. Swansea Crown Court heard that two weeks before being caught with the drugs, Howse had been handed a suspended prison sentence for a firearms offence. Alycia Carpanini, prosecuting, told the court that on April 23 this year police received intelligence that a VW Tiguan vehicle was involved in drug supply. She said the VW was located heading westwards on the Loughor bridge and officers intercepted and stopped it. The court heard police searched the car and found 13 snap-bags of cocaine worth up to £650 hidden under padding on a child seat. When the defendant was searched he was found to have £1,130 in cash in his wallet. An examination of Howse's phones found messages relating to the supply of drugs. The prosecutor said at interview the defendant gave officers a prepared statement in which he denied any knowledge of the drugs and said the car belonged to his partner and he rarely used it. He said the money in the wallet was from the sale of his own car some two days earlier. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter Article continues below Andrew Howse, of Bassett Terrace, Pwll, Llanelli, had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has a previous conviction for possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear from March this year. The court heard he was given a suspended sentence for that matter on April 8, some 15 days before he was found with drugs. James Hartson, for Howse, said the defendant had written a letter to the court in which he expressed his "deep shame and remorse" for what he had done, and said other letters and references before the court described him as a good father and partner and as a helpful neighbour. He said the defendant had reached the age of 35 without troubling the courts, and he said Howse's children would "feel his absence very, very keenly" though the defendant understood that was his own doing. Judge Paul Thomas KC said just 15 days after being given a chance with a "merciful" suspended sentence the defendant had been found with Class A drugs. He said everyone who involves themselves in dealing such substances know they face a significant custodial sentence if caught, and he noted Howes' first instinct when arrested had been to "throw his partner under the bus" and disclaim any knowledge of the cocaine. The judge said he had read references testifying to the defendant being a good father and partner, but he told Howse: "You really should have thought about your family and the impact on them when you took the decision to deal Class A drugs." With a one-quarter discount for his guilty plea Howse was sentenced to three years in prison. The judge activated the full 12 months of the previously imposed suspended firearm sentence to run consecutively with the drug sentence making a total sentence of four years in prison. Article continues below The defendant will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.
Powys County Times
16 hours ago
- Powys County Times
NFU Cymru calls for Dyfed-Powys Police Rural Crime Inspector
A renewed call has been made for greater police leadership in tackling rural crime in Dyfed-Powys. NFU Cymru is urging Dyfed-Powys Police to appoint a dedicated Rural Crime Inspector to strengthen its response to offences affecting the countryside. The request was made during a meeting held on Wednesday, June 11, at Blaencennen Farm in Gwynfe, Llangadog, as part of NFU Cymru's fourth annual Welsh Farming Week. NFU Cymru's rural crime lead, Garry Williams addressed the issue directly to Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn. Mr Williams said: "We have made a very clear ask of Dyfed-Powys Police to implement a Rural Crime Inspector with a primary focus on criminal activities affecting farmers and rural businesses, particularly organised crime. "The inspector would also have responsibility for managing the wider DPP rural crime team and help ensure a co-ordinated approach across the area. "As farmers, we believe there to be a huge advantage in the person filling this role already being embedded in our rural community and having a good working knowledge of the problems our members are encountering." The meeting was attended by members of the Dyfed-Powys Rural Crime Team and focused on issues including quad bike and machinery thefts, livestock thefts, dog attacks on livestock, and fly-tipping. Attendees highlighted the practical, financial, and emotional impact of these crimes on farming families. There were also reports of threats of violence, raising concerns about personal safety for farmers and their families. NFU Cymru believes a Rural Crime Inspector would help better coordinate the work of rural crime officers and provide a more focused approach to tackling these challenges. The union has also requested a meeting with the new chief constable for Dyfed-Powys Police once the post is permanently filled later this year. While Mr Llywelyn explained that the creation of the inspector role was outside his remit, he committed to raising the request with the Interim Chief Constable and the All-Wales Rural and Wildlife Coordinator, Rob Taylor. He also emphasised that rural crime remains a priority for the force and that changes are being made to improve the speed and efficiency of their response. PC Ashleigh Jones from the Dyfed-Powys Rural Crime Team discussed crime prevention measures and encouraged farmers to consider how criminals operate, taking steps to make theft more difficult. She also stressed the need for all incidents to be reported to police. PCSO Billy Dunne outlined his engagement work with local farmers and demonstrated the use of SelectaDNA marking on equipment, which can help deter theft and assist in recovery. He also advised farmers to fit trackers to high-value items such as quad bikes. Hefin Jones, NFU Cymru Carmarthenshire county chairman, said: "This was a timely meeting given the spotlight that has been shone on areas of rural crime in West Wales in recent weeks. "We are grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn and members on the local rural crime team for attending today for a candid discussion about the challenges in tackling rural crime, prevention tactics we can all employ on farm, as well as the opportunities to improve communication and work together." Mr Williams confirmed that NFU Cymru will formalise its request to Dyfed-Powys Police in the coming days.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
Police provide update after bomb squad called to Llanelli
Yesterday (Wednesday, June 11), a bomb disposal unit attended New Dock Road as part of an ongoing police operation. A 100-metre cordon was put in place for public safety before a 57-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of offences under The Explosive Substances Act. A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: 'Officers have now left the scene at New Dock Road, Llanelli. 'We want to again thank the local community for their patience and understanding while the incident was brought to a safe conclusion yesterday evening. 'A 57-year-old man, from Llanelli, remains in police custody as the investigation continues.' The cordon caused surrounding roads to close such as Trinity Terrace, Trinity Road, Copperworks Road, New Dock Road, Marged Street. Residents within the cordon were contacted directly by officers and a rest centre was set up at Llanelli Leisure Centre to support those affected by the disruption. During the incident, members of the public were also advised to avoid the area and stay informed via official police channels. Meanwhile, the device found at the address was made safe, and police have confirmed there is no wider threat to the public. Residents who had been asked to leave their properties were then told they could return home, and all roads were reopened. Chief Inspector Dominic Jones has thanked the community for their support and no injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
