#southwalespolice — Public Fediverse posts

GOWERTON: Sinkhole closes lane on main route to Dunvant — commuters warned to expect delays as month-old warning becomes reality

Drivers using one of the main routes out of Gowerton are being warned to expect delays after a sinkhole opened up on the road heading towards Dunvant.

The hole appeared on Cecil Road — the B4296 — just south of Gowerton Comprehensive School’s main gate, heading in the direction of Dunvant.

Lane closed, lights in place

Temporary traffic lights have been put in place at the site, with one lane closed off around the hole. Officers from South Wales Police were on the scene yesterday evening with vehicles positioned to manage traffic past the closure.

Cllr Andrew Williams, who represents the neighbouring Penclawdd ward and serves as Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Development, also confirmed the closure on Facebook last night, alerting residents to the disruption and warning that delays are likely during the morning commute.

In a post on a local community group, Cllr Williams said temporary lights had been installed and one lane was closed, adding that highways engineers were expected to attend in the morning to assess the damage.

A separate report from local resident Paul Terry, shared in another Gowerton community Facebook group, also confirmed the hole had appeared roughly 200 to 300 yards past the school’s main gate heading towards Dunvant.

Spotted weeks ago by local residents

The Cecil Road sinkhole did not appear overnight. A post in the Gowerton Residents Facebook group on 27 April flagged a “wet patch sinking day by day in the middle of the road heading towards Garrod Avenue,” opposite Gowerton Comprehensive School — the same spot where the road has now collapsed.

Local resident Ramsey Awad, who flagged the deteriorating road surface, said at the time he had passed the warning on to local councillors and predicted a road closure “in the near future.”

Replying in the same group, Cllr Susan Jones — Independent councillor for Gowerton ward and the newly-named Deputy Lord Mayor of Swansea — said she had passed the matter on to Swansea Council’s Highways team for inspection.

Swansea Bay News has approached Swansea Council to ask what action was taken between the original report and the road’s collapse.

Key commuter route

Cecil Road forms part of the B4296, one of the principal routes linking Gowerton to Dunvant, and continues as Garrod Avenue as it heads south towards Dunvant village.

The road carries significant volumes of commuter traffic during morning and evening peaks, with parents and pupils heading to Gowerton Comprehensive School also affected.

Alternative routes between the two villages are limited, with most options involving narrow single-track lanes — meaning traffic is likely to back up at the temporary lights through the morning rush.

What happens next

Highways engineers from Swansea Council are expected to visit the site this morning to determine the cause of the sinkhole and the scale of repairs required.

Sinkholes on residential roads can be caused by a range of factors, including failure of underground utility infrastructure, water main leaks, or the collapse of older drainage culverts. The “wet patch” reported by residents weeks ago will be of particular interest to engineers in determining the cause.

The duration of the closure will depend on what is found beneath the surface. Some sinkhole repairs can be completed within a single working day; others — particularly those linked to deeper infrastructure failures — can require lane closures lasting days or even weeks.

Swansea Council has been approached for an updated statement.

This is a breaking story. Swansea Bay News will update as further information becomes available from the council and highways engineers.

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More Gowerton news from Swansea Bay News
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More Dunvant news from Swansea Bay News
Our latest coverage from Dunvant and the western Swansea suburbs.

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MUMBLES: ‘My sons were shocked and scared’ — NHS doctor speaks out after racist abuse at skate park as police launch hate crime investigation

A Swansea NHS doctor has spoken of his shock and sadness after his family were subjected to racist abuse at Mumbles Skate Park — with his sons, aged five and two, present when three teenagers on bikes and scooters directed racial slurs at them.

Dr Haroon Ali described the incident in a public Facebook post on Saturday 16 May. He said he was leaving the skate park with his two young sons when the teenagers — whom he estimated to be aged between 11 and 13 — approached and shouted a racial slur at them. When he challenged them, they repeated it multiple times before riding off gleefully.

“My sons were both shocked and scared, as well as confused about what was happening,” Dr Ali wrote, describing the moment his young boys asked him what the teenagers had been saying and why they were shouting at them. “I just feel deeply sad about this ugly event,” he added.

Dr Ali said he was born and raised in Swansea and has worked as an NHS doctor serving the city for 12 years, with his family contributing to the community for generations. He said that in all his time in Swansea he had never experienced such an overtly racist incident — let alone one directed at him in front of his children.

In his post, Dr Ali also addressed the parents of the teenagers directly. “To the parents of these boys: I hope you are proud of yourselves for raising individuals who feel comfortable spewing this kind of vicious hatred in our community,” he wrote.

Dr Ali also said he believed certain unnamed local politicians had contributed to a rise in overt racism in the area, and called on them to stand firm in their opposition to it.

South Wales Police confirmed yesterday that officers had received a report of an alleged hate crime incident near Mumbles Skate Park on Saturday 16 May. The report is currently under investigation.

One of the first politicians to respond publicly was Francesca O’Brien MS — the Reform UK member for Gŵyr Abertawe who was this week named as her party’s shadow minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning. O’Brien, a former Mumbles councillor, described herself as “genuinely horrified” by what had happened.

“Let me be absolutely clear — racism is intolerable, unacceptable and has no place whatsoever in Mumbles, Swansea or anywhere else in our society,” O’Brien said. “Racism is not a left-wing issue or a right-wing issue — it is a societal issue, and every decent person should be united in condemning it and eradicating it wherever it appears.”

She said she had previously raised concerns about anti-social behaviour at the skate park during her time as a Mumbles councillor, and that Mumbles Community Council — which owns and manages the facility — had recommended CCTV coverage at the site following repeated incidents. She said she would contact the community council to ask for an update.

O’Brien issued a direct invitation to Dr Ali to work with her on a community response. “I would personally like to invite Dr Haroon Ali to work collaboratively with me in leading a constructive community response to this incident,” she said. “This cannot simply become another angry online debate that achieves nothing.”

Mumbles community councillor Ian Scott said he intended to raise the incident and wider concerns about the skate park at the community council’s full council meeting on Tuesday. The community council owns the skate park and has previously received reports of anti-social behaviour at the site.

The skate park itself has a long history. The land was leased from Swansea Council to Mumbles Community Council in 2021, following years of campaigning by local skaters and families. National Lottery funding of more than £270,000 was secured in 2022 — overcoming what the community council at the time described as numerous delays and legal wrangles — and the park officially opened in February 2023, costing nearly £350,000 in total. A community consultation on the park’s future development was launched last year.

The park has become a popular destination for skateboarders, BMX riders, scooter users and families. Saturday’s incident — and the anti-social behaviour concerns that preceded it — will now add a new dimension to the community council’s deliberations about its future.

Anyone with information about the incident at Mumbles Skate Park on Saturday 16 May is asked to contact South Wales Police on 101, quoting reference 2600152970. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Francesca O’Brien handed housing and planning brief as Reform UK names its first ever Senedd shadow cabinet
O’Brien was this week named Reform UK’s shadow minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning.

Community council asks for views on Mumbles skatepark
Mumbles Community Council launched a consultation on the skatepark’s future development last year.

Funding secured for Mumbles skatepark
How National Lottery funding of more than £270,000 made the skatepark possible in 2022.

‘All systems go’ for Mumbles skatepark say community council
The moment Mumbles Community Council signed the lease with Swansea Council to build the skatepark.

SWANSEA: Llansamlet man jailed for 25 years after being found guilty of historic rape of two girls

A 57-year-old man from Llansamlet has been jailed for 25 years after being convicted of the historic rape and sexual abuse of two girls under the age of 16 — with a judge describing him as a “typical pathetic paedophile” who isolated and manipulated his victims while convincing those around him he was a normal family man.

David Lake was found guilty at trial of one count of rape of a female under 16, four counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14, one count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, and one count of attempting to indecently assault a girl under 16.

He was sentenced today at Swansea Crown Court to 25 years in prison. He will be placed on the sex offenders register for life and made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. He must serve two-thirds of the custodial element of his sentence before he can apply to the Parole Board for release.

The court heard that Lake subjected both girls to a catalogue of sexual offending while threatening and intimidating them into silence. The abuse took place some two decades ago but it is only in recent years that the victims have come forward.

Prosecutor Ian Wright told the court that the offending was aggravated by the violence and threats Lake used — and by the fact that he gave one of his victims a sexually transmitted disease during the course of the abuse.

South Wales Police said the investigation was long and complex, spanning years between the original offences and Lake being brought to justice. The two victims, who were girls at the time of the attacks, are now adults.

In victim impact statements read from the witness box, both women detailed the lifelong consequences of Lake’s abuse. One said she had grown up feeling “dirty and ashamed” and had spent much of her life hating herself, saying the trauma of what she went through had “shaped who I am.”

The second survivor said she had lived her life with the fear that she would not be believed. She described the three years since she spoke out as the hardest of her life. “Every day has been a battle since telling my truth,” she said. “It has felt as though the little girl inside has returned — the scared, helpless child who lived in fear.”

Judge Catherine Richards told Lake he was a “typical pathetic paedophile” who “isolates and manipulates” victims while convincing people around him that he was a family man living a normal life. She said that was why people like him were able to get away with their offending for so long, and that the harm he had caused had “life-long consequences” for the survivors.

Lake has previous convictions for burglary, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, theft, obtaining property by deception, possession of a knife, and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent — for which he received a four-year prison sentence in 2007. His barrister told the court he had no previous convictions for like matters and had a number of health issues including angina.

According to the force, Lake’s sexual offending was only halted when he was imprisoned for a separate matter — a detail the investigating officer said underlined both the seriousness of his crimes and the importance of the sentence handed down today.

Detective Constable Sioned Davies said the courage shown by the victims in coming forward had been extraordinary. “It took an unbelievable amount of strength and courage for David Lake’s victims to confide to someone else about the crimes he carried out upon them, especially with so many years having passed in-between,” she said.

“This was a long and complex investigation which has finally resulted in David Lake being brought to justice, and the severity of his offending is reflected in the size of his sentence. David Lake’s attacks on the victims were only stopped when he went to jail for a separate matter. With this sentence, we hope that his offending has now been stopped for good.”

South Wales Police said it hoped the outcome of the case would provide reassurance to survivors of sexual abuse that coming forward would be met with dignity, respect and support throughout the judicial process.

Anyone who has been sexually abused and is not yet ready to report to police is urged not to suffer in silence. Support services and further information are available at south-wales.police.uk.

NEATH: Drug dealer jailed for three years after cocaine, cash and weighing scales found at his home

A Neath man has been jailed for three years after cocaine, cash, snap bags and weighing scales were found at his home during a South Wales Police search in March.

Chad White, 34, of Neath, was arrested and his home searched following police investigations into drug supply across the Neath Port Talbot and Swansea areas.

The white powder found at the address was later confirmed to be cocaine.

White pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class A controlled drug, being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, and acquiring and using criminal property.

He was sentenced to three years in prison.

Detective Inspector Richard George said White was among a number of drug dealers uncovered as part of ongoing investigations into drug supply across the region.

“Like so many others before him, his involvement in this illegal trade has resulted in him getting a lengthy prison sentence,” he said. “Class A drugs blight the people who use them as well as their friends, families and wider communities.”

Officers confirmed the force would continue to pursue anyone involved in drug supply in the area.

“We will always pursue anyone involved in this illegal activity and bring them to justice,” DI George said.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

South Wales Police stories from Swansea Bay News
All our South Wales Police coverage from across the region.

Neath news from Swansea Bay News
The latest stories from Neath and the surrounding area.

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SWANSEA: Prolific shoplifter who stole entire chocolate display case jailed after targeting city convenience stores

Richard Wolsey, 47, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to six counts of theft from a shop at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on 11 May and was sentenced to eight months in prison.

Wolsey targeted supermarkets and convenience stores across Cadle, Portmead, Fforestfach, Penlan and the city centre — leaving with items worth as much as £657 in a single visit.

CCTV footage from one of the businesses, released by South Wales Police, captures the moment Wolsey walked out carrying an entire Cadbury’s display stand. The footage was shared by officers as part of a wider warning to shoplifters that persistent offenders will be identified, pursued and jailed.

PC Christian Thomas of South Wales Police said Wolsey had never shown any signs of attempting to change his ways. “Shop workers should not have to deal with petty thieves targeting their businesses,” he said. “But Richard Wolsey cares not a jot for those whose lives he makes harder with his shoplifting.”

He added: “We will relentlessly pursue anyone involved in shoplifting, especially those persistent offenders like Richard Wolsey, and they will be sent to prison.”

The shoplifting convictions are the latest chapter in a long and serious criminal history. In 2023, Wolsey appeared at Swansea Crown Court on far more serious charges — pointing a knife at his former partner’s neck on a park bench and threatening to slit her throat.

Prosecutor Hannah George told the court that Wolsey and the complainant had been in an on-off relationship for some 23 years, during which the defendant had been repeatedly violent towards her. The court heard that when Wolsey was released from prison following a 2021 assault conviction, the pair had rekindled their relationship with him promising to change — but by January the following year he had returned to his old ways.

The knife incident occurred in June 2022. Wolsey attended a garden area the couple used to frequent, found his former partner sitting on a bench reading a book, and grabbed her — pointing a Stanley-type knife at her neck and threatening to slit her throat. When she tried to flee, he punched her repeatedly to the back of the head.

At that sentencing, Wolsey was found to have 16 previous convictions for 32 offences including 11 for violence and two involving weapons. He had also breached a restraining order designed to protect his former partner on seven separate occasions since it was first imposed in 2015.

Judge Geraint Walters jailed him for two years for the knife offence and related charges, telling him the sentences would only get longer each time he broke the order. A new indefinite restraining order was imposed.

The latest sentence means Wolsey has now spent significant periods of his life in custody. He was of no fixed abode at the time of the shoplifting offences, and South Wales Police say he remains a priority target for enforcement action.

South Wales Police say shoplifting causes real harm to the people who run and work in small businesses — and that persistent offenders like Wolsey who show no intention of stopping will face the full consequences.

Anyone who recognises shoplifting activity in their local area can report it to South Wales Police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

More court cases

Prolific shoplifter jailed for ten months and banned from every store she targeted
Another persistent offender sentenced after a sustained campaign of theft from Bridgend shops.

Maesteg meat thief: serial shoplifter jailed after six raids in six weeks
A serial shoplifter who repeatedly targeted the same stores was banned from the town’s shops entirely.

Swansea burglar jailed after targeting city business
Another Swansea offender jailed after targeting local businesses.

Serial dine and dashers sentenced to jail
A pair who repeatedly ran off without paying at restaurants across south Wales were jailed.

GORSEINON: More than 130 cannabis plants seized after South Wales Police raid Danybryn Road address

South Wales Police officers raided an address on Danybryn Road in Gorseinon on Tuesday after receiving a report about suspected cannabis cultivation.

Inside, they found a cannabis farm containing in excess of 130 plants. The plants have since been seized and destroyed.

Officers also discovered that the electricity supply at the property had been tampered with — a common feature of cannabis cultivation operations, which require significant power to run the lighting, heating and ventilation systems needed to keep plants growing.

National Grid attended the address to assess the risk and make the property safe. South Wales Police said the tampered supply had posed a risk not only to the address itself but to neighbouring properties.

Enquiries are ongoing, with assistance from crime scene investigators, to identify a possible suspect. No arrests have been announced at this stage.

The find came less than 24 hours after the initial report was received — a turnaround officers from the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot team highlighted as an example of how quickly community intelligence can be acted upon.

It is the latest in a string of cannabis farm discoveries across the region in recent weeks. Just days ago, a man was jailed after police uncovered a 539-plant cannabis farm in a Swansea Uplands property — with the suspect found hiding in a cupboard when officers arrived at the address.

A cannabis factory containing up to 120 plants was also dismantled in Briton Ferry after neighbours tipped off police — another case where community intelligence led directly and quickly to a raid. As with the Gorseinon discovery, electricity at the Briton Ferry address had also been interfered with.

The problem is not confined to residential properties. Officers previously discovered a secret cannabis factory inside the former Marks and Spencer building in Neath town centre, where an industrial-scale growing operation had been set up. One man was arrested following that raid.

The Neath discovery highlighted how abandoned commercial premises — which may go uninspected for long periods — can also be targeted by those looking to set up growing operations away from public view.

The electricity tampering found at the Danybryn Road address is a particular concern for authorities. Bypassed electricity meters and illegally rewired supplies can cause fires and pose serious risks to neighbouring properties — often without the knowledge of nearby residents.

Police have previously warned landlords across the region to be vigilant after a cannabis factory was found inside a rented Sandfields property, leaving the owner facing significant repair costs after the factory was discovered.

Officers urged property owners to carry out regular inspections and to look out for signs including blacked-out windows, unusual smells, condensation and high electricity use — all of which can indicate a cannabis cultivation operation inside a property.

The frequency of finds across the region reflects a broader pattern of sustained enforcement activity by South Wales Police against cannabis cultivation, with community tip-offs proving a consistent and effective source of intelligence.

Anyone who suspects cannabis cultivation is taking place in their neighbourhood can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or contact South Wales Police on 101.

More on cannabis farms in south Wales

Man found hiding in cupboard jailed after police uncover 539-plant cannabis farm in Uplands
One of the largest recent finds in Swansea — and the suspect was discovered in a cupboard.

Cannabis factory with up to 120 plants discovered in Briton Ferry after neighbours tip off police
Another community tip-off that led directly and quickly to a raid and seizure.

Neath cops bust secret cannabis factory in abandoned M&S
An industrial-scale operation discovered in an empty town centre building.

Police warn landlords after cannabis factory found in Swansea rental home
What property owners need to know — and the signs to look out for.

SWANSEA: Man found hiding in cupboard jailed after police uncover 539-plant cannabis farm in Uplands

A man has been jailed after he was found hiding in a cupboard when police raided a cannabis farm in the Uplands area of Swansea.

Antonjo Kodheli, 42, of no fixed abode, was discovered inside the property on Bryn Y Môr Crescent when officers conducted a search of the address.

A total of 539 plants were found growing across eight rooms in the property.

Kodheli pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of a controlled drug of Class B and was sentenced to eight months in prison.

A video released by South Wales Police shows the moment officers discovered Kodheli concealed in the cupboard during the raid.

https://youtu.be/AYQK1iz1Hqk?si=3XxY04f33H3jqfCF

Sergeant Luke Tucker said it was “incredibly disappointing” to continue finding properties in Swansea being used for illegal drug cultivation.

“Antonjo Kodheli is the latest in a long line of people who have found that entering the illegal drug trade is not all it cracked up to be,” he said. “While some may argue that there are more dangerous drugs, the money generated by cannabis farms is very commonly then funnelled towards even more serious criminal activity, and that is why we will always take action.”

PORT TALBOT: Driver critically injured after four-vehicle collision on Margam Road

South Wales Police are appealing for information after a serious four-vehicle collision on Margam Road left a driver with critical injuries.

The collision occurred at around 12.22pm on Wednesday 6 May, between Groswen Park and the junction with Rhanallt Street in Port Talbot.

The driver of a red Vauxhall sustained serious injuries and remains in hospital in a condition described as critical but stable.

The driver of a Citroen Picasso was also involved and sustained less serious injuries which required hospital treatment. The two remaining vehicles involved are understood to have been stationary or parked at the time of the collision.

Eyewitnesses described a significant emergency response at the scene, including two fire engines, two ambulances and the Wales Air Ambulance.

Roads policing officers are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who saw the manner of driving of the vehicles involved beforehand, to come forward.

Motorists and residents in the area are also urged to check dashcam and doorbell footage for anything that may assist the investigation.

Anyone with information should contact South Wales Police quoting reference 2600140685, either online at south-wales.police.uk or by calling 101.

MORRISTON: Stalker jailed after resuming campaign of terror against ex-partner within weeks of release

35-year-old Matthew Samuel, formerly of Vicarage Road, Morriston, Swansea, but now of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to stalking involving serious alarm or distress and breach of a restraining order.

The court heard Samuel has 31 previous convictions for 52 offences, among them stalking, harassment, and breaching restraining orders relating to two earlier former partners.

His past behaviour included threatening to pour petrol through one ex-partner’s letterbox and to “chop her up and burn her alive,” whilst on a separate occasion, Samuel poured petrol over the driveway of another former partner and set it alight.

In October 2024, Samuel received an 18-month prison sentence for stalking the same woman at the centre of the latest case. On that occasion, the court heard he had made her life “a misery” through unwanted and threatening calls, texts, and visits – ringing her as many as 93 times in a single day.

Samuel had also threatened to turn up at her children’s play centre and stab himself in front of everyone, and told her he would “make sure she loses everything” by spreading rumours she was ill-treating her children.

Prosecutor Sian Cutter told the court the pair had been in a relationship for around six months before it ended due to Samuel’s jealousy.

Following his release from prison in March 2025, he “almost immediately” made contact with the woman again despite the restraining order in place. The court heard the woman initially did not object to the contact and at times had been the one to reach out to Samuel.

However, after she made clear she wanted nothing more to do with him, Samuel launched a fresh campaign of harassment. He called her from withheld numbers up to 75 times in a single day, sent a barrage of messages, contacted her on Facebook, and set up multiple TikTok accounts under different names so he could follow and message her.

Samuel also telephoned the police pretending to be the woman’s cousin to report concerns for her welfare, and attended the school her children go to while wearing a balaclava.

During the course of the stalking, Samuel made a series of threats including telling the woman he would throw a brick through her window and that he was going to murder her. In one message he told her: “You are mine. You will always be mine.”

The matter was reported to police in October and Samuel was arrested. He answered “no comment” to all questions in interview and was released on bail with a condition not to contact his ex-partner – but carried on regardless.

When the woman changed her phone, Samuel obtained her new number and resumed calling and texting from withheld numbers. In one call, he told her “there was nothing she could say or do to make him leave her alone”.

He was arrested again in January and once more gave “no comment” responses throughout his interview.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said she now struggles to sleep and feels she is constantly being “watched” whenever she leaves the house, yet does not feel safe at home either. She said she is on antidepressant medication and had been left feeling “frightened and powerless”.

David Singh, representing Samuel, said pre-sentence and psychiatric reports detailed the defendant’s “difficult background” and the impact this had on his ability to form appropriate relationships.

While those circumstances did not justify what he described as his client’s “inexcusable behaviour”, they provided context. He acknowledged Samuel had made things worse through his use of drink and drugs, and said the defendant has two young children and recognises he must change or risk losing meaningful contact with them.

Sentencing, Judge Paul Thomas KC told Samuel:

“You are an extremely jealous, very immature man who simply needs to grow up. Above that, I think you are potentially a risk to any woman who you are in a relationship with.

“The court has a duty to protect women. The only way it can do that is to keep you out of the way.”

Samuel received a three-year prison sentence for stalking and two years and three months for the restraining order breach, to run concurrently.

A one-quarter discount was applied for his guilty pleas. He will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence. The existing restraining order will remain in place until 2029.

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

SWANSEA: Police appeal for further victim-survivors to come forward after former bishop’s child sex offence conviction

South Wales Police is appealing for further victim-survivors to come forward following the conviction of former Bishop of Swansea and Brecon Anthony Pierce for child sex offences.

The 84-year-old, of Swansea Vale, pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault on a child under the age of 16 at Swansea Crown Court in February last year.

He was sentenced to four years and one month in prison.

Upon his release, he will be made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Pierce was previously found guilty of indecent assault with a child in proceedings that drew national attention to the failures of the Church in Wales to act on earlier complaints about his conduct.

Since his sentencing, South Wales Police has received three further reports of offences dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, which are under investigation.

The force is now urging anyone else who may have been affected to come forward.

Detective Inspector Tom Richardson of Swansea CID said the bravery of the original victim had been instrumental in bringing Pierce to justice.

“We know how difficult it must be for anyone to have suffered abuse in the past to come forward now. It was the bravery of the victim who reported Pierce’s actions which was instrumental in bringing him to justice,” he said.

He confirmed three further people had come forward since the conviction. “Since the conviction and sentencing of Pierce we have received reports from three people who have taken that first step in coming forward,” he said.

DI Richardson said the force believed there may be others affected. “We believe that there may be others who have been subject to Pierce’s crimes and we want to provide reassurance that any reports will be fully investigated and dealt with sensitively and with compassion,” he said.

He encouraged anyone affected to speak to the police. “We recognise that coming forward can be daunting but would encourage victim-survivors to speak with us so they can get the support and help they deserve,” he said.

The case has previously raised serious questions about how complaints against Pierce were handled within the Church.

Children’s Commissioner for Wales Rocio Cifuentes called for reform after what she described as serious failures in the Church’s handling of complaints relating to Pierce – and called for an end to the practice of religious institutions investigating themselves when allegations of child abuse arise.

Anyone with information that may assist the ongoing investigation, or anyone who has been affected by Pierce’s offending, is asked to contact South Wales Police on 101, quoting occurrence number 2600140999.

Reports can also be made anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

For information and a supporting guide on reporting sexual offences, visit south-wales.police.uk.

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, support is available.

• The Survivors Trust – 0808 801 0818 – thesurvivorstrust.org
• NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) – 0808 801 0331 – napac.org.uk
• Rape Crisis England and Wales – 0808 802 9999 – rapecrisis.org.uk
• Samaritans – 116 123 (free, 24/7)

PORT TALBOT: Cocaine dealer joins brother in prison after Boxing Day crash left him ‘covered in cocaine’ at the wheel of his car

A Port Talbot drug dealer found “covered in cocaine” at the wheel of a crashed car on Boxing Day has been jailed for five years.

Ryan Tucker, 27, of Gwyn Terrace, Port Talbot, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis.

The five-year sentence means he now joins his older brother Nathan Tucker behind bars – both convicted of running their own cocaine dealing operations from the family home in Port Talbot, both supplied from Merseyside.

The court heard that on Boxing Day 2025, officers received reports of a crashed and damaged VW Golf in Port Talbot.

When they arrived, they found Ryan Tucker at the wheel – covered in cocaine.

A search of the car uncovered almost 40g of cocaine and almost 100g of cannabis.

Tucker was taken to hospital and subsequently placed in a medically induced coma for a period.

His phone was later seized, and officers found multiple Snapchat conversations between Tucker and others about the buying and selling of cocaine and cannabis.

The Boxing Day crash was not Tucker’s first encounter with police that year.

Months earlier, in August 2024, officers had searched the Tucker family home on Gwyn Terrace after spotting what they believed to be a drugs exchange on the street outside.

That search led to the arrest of Tucker’s brother Nathan, with officers finding a machete behind the sofa, tubs of benzocaine – a common cutting agent – and a one-kilo block of compressed cocaine that had been sent special delivery from Liverpool the day before.

Nathan Tucker was later sentenced to six years and eight months for being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Ryan Tucker was arrested at the same address weeks later, with police seizing his phone and £3,125 in cash. He refused to give officers his PIN – but they got into the device anyway, finding messages about cocaine and amphetamine deals stretching back twelve months.

In some of the messages, Tucker referred to selling cocaine on behalf of “Scousers” and to owing the Merseysiders money.

He answered “no comment” to all questions asked and was released under investigation – only to be arrested again four months later after the Boxing Day crash.

Tucker has 23 previous convictions for 56 offences, including violence, driving matters and possession of cannabis.

Caitlin Brazel, for Tucker, told the court he now appreciated the enormity of what he had done. She said he had a “rather unstable upbringing” and that the loss of a brother in 2020 had sent his life on a “downward spiral” of nightmares, addiction and mental health issues.

Sentencing him, Judge Geraint Walters said Tucker had been distributing drugs for a Liverpool gang “in a not insignificant way” – and that after being arrested and released under investigation, he had simply returned to dealing.

The judge told him that as he approached his 30th year, he needed to decide whether he was going to continue being “a nuisance” or try to turn his life around.

Detective Inspector Richard George of South Wales Police said Tucker had a long list of prior offences. “He failed to learn his lesson from any of them and is now heading for a long spell in prison,” he said.

George said the case should serve as a warning. “Cocaine and the Class A drug trade cause untold harm to the lives of so many in our communities – both the users and their families, friends and neighbours. We will relentlessly pursue anyone involved in this trade and bring them to justice,” he said.

The Tucker brothers’ Liverpool connection reflects a wider pattern of cocaine being supplied into south-west Wales from Merseyside. Six men from south Wales were previously jailed for mass cocaine supply, while a Swansea man was convicted as part of a transatlantic yacht cocaine plot – both demonstrating the scale of the trade reaching south-west Wales.

Tucker will serve up to half his five-year sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

Our coverage of cocaine and county lines in south-west Wales

‘Scouse Ryan’ drug gang sentenced to over 10 years for driving drugs between Liverpool and Swansea
The county lines case that revealed the scale of Merseyside cocaine networks operating in south-west Wales.

Six men from south Wales jailed for mass cocaine supply
A wider conspiracy that brought significant prison sentences for those involved in commercial cocaine distribution.

Swansea man linked to transatlantic yacht cocaine plot as crime group jailed
One of the most striking recent cases of cocaine being smuggled into south Wales – by sea.

Six jailed for bringing large quantities of cocaine and cannabis into Pembrokeshire
The west Wales chapter of the same wider story – county lines reaching into Pembrokeshire.

SWANSEA: Three arrested in dawn raids targeting organised crime network
South Wales Police’s most recent operation targeting organised crime in Swansea.

BRIDGEND: Prolific shoplifter jailed for ten months — and banned from every store she targeted

A Bridgend woman who spent eight months repeatedly stealing from shops across the town has been jailed – and banned from ever entering the stores she targeted again.

It is not the first time Emma Faulkner has faced the courts for shoplifting. She was jailed for four weeks in December after stealing £927 worth of beauty products from The Cosmetic Company at McArthurGlen – the very same store she would go on to target again for £1,500 just months later.

Faulkner, 48, was sentenced to ten months in prison after appearing at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

She was convicted of multiple shoplifting offences after targeting businesses across Bridgend over the past eight months.

Among her offences was the theft of £1,500 worth of items from The Cosmetic Store at McArthurGlen Bridgend – one of the town’s busiest retail destinations.

She also stole £40 worth of goods from Poundland on Adare Street and £30 worth of candles from the Yankee Candle shop, alongside numerous other shoplifting incidents.

Faulkner was also sentenced for being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

As well as the prison sentence, officers applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order lasting two years – prohibiting Faulkner from entering the stores she repeatedly targeted.

In a further penalty, her dog has been taken away from her and she has been banned from keeping animals for five years.

The case was investigated by the Bridgend Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Sergeant Daniel Parry said persistent retail crime had a direct impact on communities and local businesses. “We want to be clear – those who choose to repeatedly offend will be identified, targeted, and dealt with robustly,” he said.

Parry said officers would continue to pursue repeat offenders. “Our officers will relentlessly pursue those responsible and use all available powers to bring them to justice,” he added.

The sentence follows a wider effort by South Wales Police to tackle retail crime across the Bridgend area, with neighbourhood policing teams increasingly using Criminal Behaviour Orders as a tool to protect businesses from prolific offenders.

Retailers suffering from shoplifting are encouraged to report every incident to South Wales Police on 101 to help build the intelligence picture needed to pursue repeat offenders through the courts.

Anyone with information about shoplifting or retail crime can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

SWANSEA: Three arrested in dawn raids targeting organised crime network

Three people have been arrested in Swansea following dawn raids carried out by officers targeting organised crime.

South Wales Police’s organised crime team, supported by specialist officers, executed three warrants this morning as part of the operation.

A 24-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman from Mount Pleasant were among those arrested.

A 49-year-old woman from Townhill was also arrested.

All three remain in police custody.

South Wales Police said tackling organised crime was a priority for the force.

The operation was carried out by the force’s specialist organised crime team, which focuses on disrupting criminal networks across the region.

South Wales Police said: “Dawn raids by the Swansea organised crime team and specialist officers have seen three warrants executed and three people arrested in connection with organised crime.”

The force added it would continue to be “relentless in our pursuit of criminals to protect communities from harm.”

No details have been released about the nature of the organised crime being investigated.

Investigations are ongoing.

Mount Pleasant and Townhill have featured repeatedly in South Wales Police’s organised crime investigations.

A Mount Pleasant man was among four jailed for county lines drug dealing after a vehicle was stopped in Gors Avenue, while a Mount Pleasant woman received a suspended sentence as part of the ‘Scouse Ryan’ county lines operation running drugs between Liverpool and Swansea.

A Mount Pleasant resident was also convicted as an associate of a major south-west Wales drug gang that was found to possess a firearm, cocaine and cannabis.

Anyone with information about organised crime in their area is urged to contact South Wales Police on 101.

Reports can also be made anonymously via Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.

If someone is in immediate danger or a crime is taking place, dial 999.

BRITON FERRY: Cannabis factory with up to 120 plants discovered after neighbours tip off police

A cannabis factory containing up to 120 plants has been discovered at a property in Briton Ferry – after local residents tipped off police about suspicious activity.

Officers from South Wales Police obtained an emergency search warrant and forced entry to the property on Middleton Street over the weekend.

The scale of the operation became immediately apparent. South Wales Police said the smell of cannabis could be detected strongly from the street outside before officers had even entered the building.

Inside, officers found between 100 and 120 cannabis plants arranged in a commercial-scale growing operation.

Nobody was present at the property when officers arrived.

South Wales Police also said that electrical wiring at the property had been tampered with.

The force said the illegal modification posed a significant danger – not only to the property itself but to neighbouring homes on Middleton Street.

Illicit cannabis farms frequently involve bypassed electricity meters and unauthorised rewiring, which can cause fires and put residents in surrounding properties at serious risk.

South Wales Police said: “Upon entry, they were greeted with between 100 and 120 cannabis plants forming a grow which could be smelled strongly from the street. Electrical wiring had also been tampered with, posing a danger to the property and neighbouring properties.”

The cannabis factory was dismantled by officers and all plants seized.

South Wales Police confirmed an investigation is currently ongoing.

The discovery followed a tip-off from the local community. South Wales Police said officers had acted “upon information from the local community” when obtaining the emergency warrant.

It is not the first time officers have uncovered a large-scale cannabis operation in the area.

Police previously raided a secret cannabis factory hidden inside an abandoned Marks & Spencer store in Neath, while two men were jailed after a cannabis factory was discovered in Swansea.

South Wales Police has also warned landlords specifically about the risk of cannabis factories being established in rental properties without their knowledge.

Anyone with information about suspected drug activity in their area can contact South Wales Police on 101, or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Information can also be submitted online at south-wales.police.uk.

SWANSEA: Woman arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving after four-vehicle collision on Fabian Way

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs after a four-vehicle collision on Fabian Way in Swansea last night.

South Wales Police were called to the collision just after 9pm on Thursday 1 May. Paramedics also attended and four people were taken to hospital, though none of their injuries are believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.

A 37-year-old woman was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident. South Wales Police say enquiries are continuing.

BLAENYMAES: ‘He was the light of our lives’ — beloved chihuahua Hugo killed in garden attack on Eagles Place

A Swansea family is grieving the loss of their beloved eight-year-old chihuahua after he was fatally attacked by another dog in the garden of their own home – in an incident that has left neighbours shaken and sparked calls for tougher action on dangerous dogs.

Hugo, who had been due to serve as ring bearer at his owners’ wedding, was killed on Thursday 23 April at the family’s address on Eagles Place in Blaenymaes. Hugo’s dad had returned home from work and let him outside into their private garden as normal, when he discovered a large bulldog-type dog already on the property. The attack happened within minutes.

Hugo’s mam said the family was struggling to come to terms with what happened. “He was a bundle of joy. Not your average chihuahua. He was the light of our lives,” she said. “He absolutely loved adventures – hiking a lot of the Brecon Beacons and mid and south Wales, joining us on bike rides, beach days, you name it. He will be sorely missed by his two St Bernard best friends Herbie and Missy.”

She paid tribute to the neighbours and her father who helped her partner in the immediate aftermath. “My partner is shaking and traumatised from witnessing it all,” she said. “I want to include my sincere thank you to my neighbours and father that day who helped my distraught partner, kept others safe on the street and communicated with the police further. I cannot thank them enough for their support.”

Hugo had become a much-loved figure in the local community, joining his owners at the annual Christmas Parade each year and going everywhere with his mam. The couple had been making plans to take him travelling across Europe, and he was set to play a starring role at their wedding as ring bearer – which had been planned around him and their other family dogs.

South Wales Police confirmed they attended the scene and later executed a warrant, seizing the offending dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act. An investigation is now underway to establish any criminal liability. A police spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the victim dog following this traumatic experience for them.”

Hugo’s mam said the person who came to collect the attacking dog did not claim ownership, saying it belonged to a family member who was unaware it had been out roaming. “The dog was loose and my poor partner had to search for the owner,” she said.

She said she had been raising concerns about the address the dog came from with both the police and the council, but felt action had been too slow. “The address the dog came from has heavy activity which I’ve reported to the police and council,” she said. “I have been emailing our housing officer and received unsatisfactory replies, some limited to ‘thank you for the email’ regarding serious matters. I find this disgusting.”

She confirmed she intended to take the matter further once she had recovered from the immediate trauma. “I am going to be following it up with MPs to call for tighter restrictions and harsher punishments for those unable to control their dogs,” she said. “The council need to have swifter action. He should have been able to be safe and free within his own private property.”

Multiple neighbours had to come outside to help her partner bring the situation under control on the day of the attack. The owner raised concerns that the attacking dog had entered neighbouring properties before reaching their garden, and said the incident had heightened fears in the community. “There are children, infants and other pets on the street,” she said. “I am deeply concerned about the safety of other pets and children in the area if dogs are able to roam and access private properties in this way.”

South Wales Police are continuing their investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact South Wales Police by calling 101.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Police investigate increased Penlan and Blaen-y-Maes antisocial behaviour
Our previous coverage of community safety concerns in the Blaenymaes area.

SWANSEA: Sixteen bikes seized as police operation targets illegal off-road riders with aircraft support

Sixteen motorbikes and off-road bikes have been seized across Swansea as part of a major policing operation targeting illegal and antisocial riding, with officers using a fixed-wing aircraft to track offenders from the air before swooping to arrest them on the ground.

Operation Akalat, run by South Wales Police, targets the illegal and antisocial use of off-road bikes, stolen vehicles and drug dealing – issues which officers say have a significant impact on communities across Swansea and are consistently raised by residents as affecting their quality of life, public safety and confidence in policing.

The latest operation, which took place on Friday 24 April, saw officers deploy the NPAS fixed-wing aircraft to spot and follow illegal riders across the city. Numerous off-road and illegally ridden bikes were tracked from the air until they could be safely apprehended on the ground.

The results were significant. Sixteen motorcycles, Sur-Rons and off-road bikes were seized – eight in Penlan, three in the city centre, three in Townhill and two in Morriston. Several of the bikes were confirmed as stolen. Officers also created 14 Postal Charge Requisitions for offences including dangerous driving, possession of drugs and no insurance, and carried out eight stop searches.

PC Connor Sumner-Jones, of the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Intelligence Unit, said the operation had been a significant success. “This police activity has helped to make a big dent in issues which have been plaguing the respective communities in Swansea, as well as restoring faith and public confidence to 999 and 101 callers, who have now seen us act upon their information and achieve results,” he said.

Inspector Andrew Hedley added that the operation demonstrated a sophisticated approach to problem-solving in the run-up to summer. “This was an example of really great work and an absolutely fantastic approach to problem-solving which will send a robust message to those acting illegally or anti-socially with bikes and motorbikes in the lead-up to the summer,” he said.

He added: “The level of disruption seen under this operation will make a real difference in the communities affected and helps reduce demand more widely. A lot of time and policing hours went into planning and executing this operation, which tackles issues which are very important to the local community.”

Insp Hedley said Op Akalat would continue running frequently over the coming months alongside Operation Lathyrus, sending a clear message that the force was listening to community concerns. “Operations of this nature will continue frequently in the coming months,” he said.

The operation is the latest in a series of targeted policing actions across Swansea aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour that has become a persistent concern in residential areas including Penlan, Townhill and Morriston. Residents in those communities have repeatedly raised concerns about illegal riders causing danger and disturbance on streets and open spaces.

South Wales Police said the use of the NPAS aircraft had proved particularly effective in allowing officers to safely monitor and pursue riders who would otherwise evade ground-based patrols. The aircraft tracked multiple bikes simultaneously before coordinating with officers on the ground to intercept them.

A video of the operation, showing aerial footage of riders being followed and stopped, was shared by South Wales Police on social media and attracted widespread attention from local residents welcoming the crackdown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyPc88ySLDQ&t=3s

Anyone with information about illegal or antisocial use of bikes in their area is encouraged to contact South Wales Police by calling 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Police seize five motorcycles linked to antisocial behaviour in Gorseinon
Officers target illegal riding in Gorseinon in an earlier operation.

Three sentenced after high-speed illegal off-road bike pursuit
Riders who led police on a dangerous chase face justice.

Child airlifted to hospital after collision with off-road motorbike
The human cost of illegal off-road riding in Swansea communities.

New partnership aims to tackle illegal off-roading in South Wales
Agencies join forces to address the growing problem of illegal riders.

Police launch criminal damage investigation after off-road motorbikes destroy Skewen sports pitch
Illegal riders cause serious damage to community facilities.

Two bikes seized in Townhill off-road biking crackdown
An earlier operation targets riders in one of Swansea’s most affected areas.

Police investigate increased Penlan and Blaen-y-Maes antisocial behaviour
Officers respond to community concerns about disorder in north Swansea.

PORT TALBOT: Huge industrial fire sends black smoke billowing over town as eight fire stations scramble to Dock Road

A massive fire involving around 200 tonnes of commercial waste at an industrial site on Dock Road sent thick black smoke billowing across Port Talbot on Wednesday afternoon, with eight fire stations scrambling crews to the scene.

Crews from eight fire stations were called to the Port Talbot industrial site at 3.36pm on Wednesday after a blaze took hold involving around 200 tonnes of commercial waste. The fire was so significant that South Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called in to support their Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service colleagues, with the operation running deep into the night.

Thick black smoke billowed high above the town’s rooftops and could be seen from miles around, with crowds gathering near the scene to watch the dramatic response unfold. Drone footage shared on social media captured the full scale of the incident, with multiple fire engines and aerial ladder platforms deployed across the industrial site on the bank of the River Afan.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service issued its first statement at 4.34pm, confirming crews were responding and urging residents to avoid the area. A more detailed update followed at 5.16pm confirming the scale of the blaze.

A spokesperson said: “Our crews from Port Talbot, Neath, Morriston, Ammanford, Tumble, Carmarthen, Pontarddulais and Glynneath Fire Stations have responded to an incident at Dock Road in Port Talbot. This incident is currently ongoing. With support by crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, crews are dealing with a fire involving approximately 200 tonnes of commercial waste.”

The spokesperson added that the area should be avoided to allow emergency services access, and that residents should keep windows and doors closed if there was thick smoke nearby. People were also asked not to call 999 unless lives or property were in immediate danger, so that control room operators could manage the high volume of emergency calls.

South Wales Police also moved quickly to close a number of roads in the area. Their statement, issued at 4.17pm, confirmed closures at the roundabout on Afan Way and Harbour Way, the roundabout on Harbour Way towards Tata Steel, and Water Street between Blanco’s Hotel and McDonald’s.

The A4241 — Dock Road itself — remained closed in both directions late into the evening, from the Industrial Park turn-off all the way to North Bank Road, as crews continued to battle the blaze.

Images from the scene showed fire engines and ladder platforms surrounded by dense smoke as firefighters trained jets onto the burning waste. Aerial photos showed a large industrial yard with materials stacked across the site, with the smoke plume stretching well beyond the immediate area and across the town towards the hills.

This morning, Cllr Sean Pursey, who represents the Sandfields East ward, said emergency services were still in attendance and residents should continue to take precautions.

He posted on Facebook: “Morning all, we’re currently awaiting an update from agency partners on the fire situation. The river footpath remains closed and there are some road closures in the area near ATS while the fire service is in attendance.”

Cllr Pursey added that he would advise people to continue keeping windows and doors closed and to take precautions outdoors until further guidance on air quality was issued.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has been approached for comment on whether the fire has been extinguished and whether any investigation into the cause is underway.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

GOWERTON: Dramatic fire tears through LMS Club on Sterry Road
Firefighters tackle a major blaze at the Gowerton social club.

GOWERTON: Road remains closed and building assessed for collapse risk after Easter Monday fire
The aftermath of a serious fire that left a Gowerton street shut for days.

SWANSEA: Dyfatty man armed with tyre iron beat woman in garage over spiking claims

Brian Michael Nicol, of Prince of Wales Road, Dyfatty, Swansea, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He entered his pleas on the day he had been due to stand trial.

Prosecutor Georgia Donohue told the court the assault took place on the evening of April 18 last year at the Ensign car sales garage on Carmarthen Road, Swansea. The business was closed at the time, and the victim had called in to visit the owner, who was a friend of hers.

At around 8.50 pm, Nicol arrived and began hammering on the office door, shouting, “What have you said to my missus!” When the woman opened the door, Nicol, carrying a tyre iron, forced his way inside. He grabbed her, threw her to the floor, and got on top of her, striking her repeatedly before kicking and stamping on her.

After the assault, Nicol sat down in a chair inside the office and accused his victim of having “spiked” his wife. He then left the premises, and the attack was subsequently reported to police, leading to his arrest.

The victim sustained bruising and a cut to her wrist, marks to her neck, and a cut and bruising to her shoulder.

The court heard Nicol had 31 previous convictions spanning 77 offences, the majority of which related to acquisitive and drug offences. He had one prior conviction for violence, a common assault dating back to 2008, and was last before the courts in 2016 for possession of a Class C drug.

Alycia Carpanini, representing Nicol, told the court that her client had been free from drugs for between five and 10 years following a long-standing heroin addiction, and had been working hard to avoid falling back into his former lifestyle. She said Nicol was a working man who had been “shocked” at his own behaviour on the night in question.

Judge Huw Rees said it appeared Nicol had been seeking some sort of “revenge” for what he believed had happened to his wife when he forced his way into the garage and attacked the woman. The judge acknowledged that Nicol’s record showed he was not usually a violent man, but said he had lost his temper and acted in anger in what was a “disgraceful incident”.

Judge Rees said a sentence of immediate custody was inevitable. With a one-third discount applied for his guilty pleas, Nicol was sentenced to 16 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. A restraining order was also imposed, prohibiting Nicol from contacting his victim for 10 years.

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

PORT TALBOT: Woman jailed following deliberate hit and run

In the early hours of October 23, 2025, 59-year-old Louise Blackwell, from Port Talbot, was witnessed dropping off the victim on Margam Road before driving off, then turning around and driving into the victim at speed while the victim was crossing the road. Blackwell showed no signs of slowing down as she then fled the scene in her vehicle.

A South Wales Police investigation discovered that Blackwell was driving whilst intoxicated at the time of the incident. Blackwell was found and arrested days later.

Blackwell pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent in December.

Blackwell pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and Section 18 wounding with intent, but was found guilty of the latter offence on April 16.

She has today been sentenced to ten years in prison.

https://youtu.be/0yKA24PZWjE?si=NS2CE-OZDuqZAsKz

Detective Constable Tom Herbert said:

“Louise Blackwell is an incredibly dangerous woman who is fully deserving of being sent to prison.

“The victim was seriously injured and faces a prolonged period of recovery as result of the speed at which Louise Blackwell used her car to hit him.

“In a bid to cover her tracks, Blackwell then told her daughter that she had struck an animal and asked her to assist with cleaning any evidence off the vehicle, before she was eventually forced to come clean.

“A combination of alcohol and rage caused Louise Blackwell to carry out her horrendous actions on that day in October. She will now finally pay for her crimes.”

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

GOWER: Serious collision near Three Cliffs Bay leaves woman in hospital — dashcam appeal

Police are appealing for witnesses after a serious road traffic collision on the South Gower Road left a 67-year-old woman in hospital with serious injuries.

The collision took place on the A4118 between the Gower Heritage Centre and Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park at 5.35pm on Friday April 24, involving a white BMW 1 Series and a grey Skoda Fabia.

The woman, aged 67, was taken to hospital and is currently in a stable condition.

PC Ross McGrath, from South Wales Police’s Roads Policing Unit, thanked members of the public who helped at the scene and called on anyone with information to come forward.

“We want to thank those members of the public who assisted us at the scene and would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who may have any dash-cam footage of the incident, or those who witnessed the manner of driving of the vehicles prior to the collision,” he said.

The family of the woman injured in the crash also asked PC McGrath to pass on their thanks to Sketty fire station for their assistance at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police via 101, quoting reference 2600126744. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Gower — all our coverage
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Our coverage of road safety measures in the Swansea area.

SWANSEA: Meats, milkshakes, sunglasses and cheese — the one-man crime wave that hit 13 city centre shops in a month

A prolific shoplifter who visited the same Co-op nine times in a single month — and hit 13 Swansea city centre shops in four weeks — has been jailed and banned from every Co-op branch in the city.

James Brittain, 46, now of Alexandra Road, Swansea, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of theft from a shop at Swansea Magistrates Court, stealing goods worth almost £700 during a spree in March and April this year.

Brittain targeted Co-op branches on Bryn Road and Walter Road nine times, taking items including meats, ready meals, bottles of alcohol, chocolate and milkshakes. He also stole alcohol and cheese from Tesco on two occasions, bread from a Greggs bakery, and pairs of sunglasses from Vision Express.

The court heard that his long-term drug use had taken a significant toll on his physical and mental health. His advocate described him as someone who had become “institutionalised” to life in prison and who struggles when in the community.

Brittain was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison and will serve 40 per cent of that time in custody before being released on licence. He was also made subject to a criminal behaviour order prohibiting him from entering any Co-op branch in Swansea for the next three years.

South Wales Police say that the order is the sixth secured by its Neighbourhood Policing Team in Swansea for retail crime in the past two years. The application was supported by evidence compiled through close partnership working with local retailers and local authority CCTV.

Officers added that the broader enforcement effort has contributed to a 14% fall in shop thefts in Swansea city centre.

City Neighbourhood Inspector Andrew Hedley said tackling prolific offenders remained a priority. “Securing this sixth Criminal Behaviour Order in two years for retail crime reflects the proactive and evidence-led work of officers who are focused on those causing the greatest harm through repeat offending,” he said.

“Alongside targeted enforcement and highly visible policing, this work has contributed to a 14% reduction in shop thefts in the city centre. We will continue to focus our efforts and maintain our determination to protect local businesses and disrupt persistent retail crime.”

Swansea Business Crime Reduction Manager Steve Gallagher said the order sent a clear message to repeat offenders. “Persistent retail crime has a significant impact on retailers, their staff, and the overall confidence of the city centre, and this action shows that repeat offending is being tackled effectively,” he said.

“Through strong partnership working with South Wales Police, we are seeing meaningful enforcement that helps deter further offences, reduce financial losses, and improve the day-to-day safety of those working and trading in the city.”

Brittain has 30 previous convictions for 114 offences, including nine house burglaries, 22 non-dwelling burglaries, aggravated vehicle taking, and going equipped for burglary. In December 2020 he was sentenced to 32 months in prison for two attempted burglaries in the Sketty area of Swansea.

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GOWER: Former teacher jailed after sustained campaign of coercive control against wife

Christopher Haynes, 58, of Whitestone Avenue, Bishopston, Gower, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour. He entered his plea on what was due to be the first day of his trial.

The court heard how Haynes gradually tightened his grip over his wife’s life during their marriage, dictating who she was permitted to see, who could visit their home, and even what music was played in the house. He dismissed her work colleagues as “below him” and tried to pressure her into giving up her job entirely.

Prosecutor Craig Jones said Haynes viewed himself as “intellectually superior” to those around him and did not want his wife spending time with others or doing anything outside the home without him. Alongside the control, he would accuse her of being lazy around the house while simultaneously spending money the family did not have on expensive holidays and showering her with gifts.

Haynes repeatedly told his wife he had powerful connections within the Freemasons and warned her it would only take “one call, one bullet” to have her killed through his contacts in the organisation. The court heard he also engaged in frequent bouts of heavy drinking, with his wife later describing home life as like “walking on eggshells every day”.

When arrested, Haynes denied making any threats and claimed he was “besotted” with his wife and would do anything for her.

The complainant read a statement to the court in which she described how Haynes had “love bombed” her when they first met, making her feel as though they were soul mates – something she now recognises as part of the manipulation.

She told the court she had been an “independent and adventurous woman” but that Haynes had isolated her and shattered her confidence and safety with his jealous, abusive, coercive, degrading, and controlling behaviour and repeated threats.

She described the family home as a “prison” and said she was “a shell of the woman I once was” who now exists only for her children.

Caitlin Brazel, representing Haynes, said the lateness of his guilty plea stemmed from his reluctance to admit he was an alcoholic and his “deep-seated shame and embarrassment” at what he had done.

She told the court that after being forced to leave the teaching career he loved at the age of 50 due to deteriorating health, Haynes had turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. The court heard that following his divorce from the complainant, Haynes had remarried around three years ago.

Judge Geraint Walters told Haynes he had “ruthlessly controlled and manipulated” his former wife and “effectively stole her identity”.

The judge noted that in his pre-sentence report, Haynes had sought to blame his ex-partner and justify his behaviour, and said it appeared the defendant was incapable of fully accepting his wrongdoing.

Haynes received a 10 per cent discount for his guilty plea and was sentenced to 21 months in prison. He will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. He was also made subject to a lifelong restraining order prohibiting any contact with his former wife. Haynes has no previous convictions.

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

https://www.europesays.com/videos/14089/ Takeover of Cardiff Rugby by Ospreys owners falls through | ITV Cymru Wales #Crime #immigration #itv #ItvNews #ITVNewsInFull #MerthyrTydfil #SeneddElection #SouthWalesPolice #Wales #WalesNews #WelshPolitics

DRUG DEALING: Ammanford pair used ‘Chinese’ as codeword for cocaine orders — jailed after being caught waiting for a delivery in Swansea

Two men from Ammanford have been jailed after being caught supplying cocaine on the streets of Swansea — with an examination of their phones revealing drug users were ordering their fix by asking for a “Chinese.”

Jac Cadman, 23, of Florence Road, Ammanford, and Jamie Cook, 31, of Tabernacle Road, Glanaman, were spotted by officers on patrol in the Blaenymaes area of Swansea on March 13 this year, sitting in a parked Renault on Pentregethin Road. The officers noted the pair appeared “overly nervous and fidgety” and that the vehicle was registered and insured to a provisional licence holder.

A search under the Misuse of Drugs Act uncovered 28g of cocaine and £470 in cash in Cadman’s pockets, and 5g of cocaine and £880 in cash on Cook. Three mobile phones were also seized.

Subsequent searches of the defendants’ home addresses revealed further cash — £1,620 and an additional $1,330 in US currency were found at Cadman’s property.

Swansea Crown Court heard that messages on Cadman’s phone showed “clear evidence of involvement in the supply of cocaine,” and that he had been waiting in Pentregethin Road to collect a delivery for onward supply at the time of his arrest.

Cook’s phone told a more colourful story. Caitlin Brazel, prosecuting, told the court that a large number of messages from known drug users referred to buying “Chinese” — which she said appeared to be a codeword for cocaine. The prosecution said police concluded Cook’s phone was being used as the drugs line.

Investigators were also able to link messages from a phone seized in a separate drugs investigation in 2025 to Cook, suggesting he had been involved in supplying cocaine since at least 2024. Cook had previously been convicted in 2022 of possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of cocaine after being caught operating as a street dealer in the Penlan area of Swansea by a plain-clothed police officer.

Both men answered “no comment” to all questions in interview, save for Cadman telling officers he worked in tarmacking.

The court heard that Cadman, who has no previous convictions, had begun drinking and taking drugs as a teenager as an escape from the pressures of being a carer for his parents. His barrister said he had found himself in debt and turned to dealing as a result, and that he was “deeply ashamed” of the impact on his family — including an unborn child.

Cook’s barrister told the court his client had experienced adverse childhood experiences linked to his mother’s addiction issues, and that the breakdown of a relationship following his 2022 imprisonment had seen him turn back to drugs. While on remand, the court heard, Cook had reflected on his situation and hoped to undertake the 12 Steps addiction programme upon release.

Recorder Greg Bull KC, sentencing, said those who involve themselves in Class A drug supply are “dealing in human misery” and that the courts would always treat such offending seriously.

With one-third discounts for their guilty pleas, Cadman was sentenced to 28 months in prison and Cook to 40 months. Both will serve no more than half their sentences in custody before being released on licence.

Sergeant Luke Tucker, of South Wales Police, said: “Both Jac Cadman and Jamie Cook will have felt great when they thought that their Class A drug dealing was going to net them a quick windfall. However, unfortunately for them, that feeling was quickly shattered when officers caught them in the act.

“Both will now follow in the footsteps of other drug dealers who have plagued the streets of Swansea as they rightfully head to prison.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Drug gang busted: Swansea man jailed as cocaine network smashed in multi-area operation
More of our coverage of Class A drug supply sentences from Swansea Crown Court.

Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack
Another recent sentencing story from Swansea Crown Court.

NEATH: Fire damages derelict Katz nightclub — weeks before it was due to go under the hammer again

A derelict Neath nightclub that has been empty for years was damaged by fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning — just weeks before it was due to go back under the hammer at auction.

Crews from Neath, Morriston, Pontardawe and Port Talbot were called to the former Katz nightclub on Queen Street Back Road at 3.11am on Tuesday after fire broke out at the rear of the two-storey building. The blaze affected the first and second floors.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews utilised eight breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets, a 10m ladder, three thermal imaging cameras and small tools to extinguish the fire. The turn table ladder was used to gain access to the building.”

Fire crews left the scene at 6.53am — more than three and a half hours after being called out. A road closure was put in place on Alfred Street and Queen Street Back Road during the incident but has since been lifted.

South Wales Police, who were also in attendance, said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined and is under investigation.

The building has been empty for a number of years since the nightclub closed. For those who remember it, Katz was a fixture of Neath’s night-time economy — a sizeable two-storey venue with a prominent bar, raised stage, and a large dancefloor with original parquet wood flooring that survives inside to this day.

The property failed to sell when it went to online auction with a guide price of £145,000 in March. It is currently listed for auction again with a reduced guide price of £85,000, with bidding closing on May 12. The listing describes it as a building “in a state of disrepair” with potential for conversion into flats, a gym, boutique cinema, restaurant or creative studio space, subject to planning permission.

The full extent of the damage caused by Tuesday’s fire is not yet known, and it is unclear what impact — if any — it will have on the upcoming auction.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Gowerton fire: dramatic scenes at LMS Club on Sterry Road
Our coverage of another significant fire in the area.

Gowerton road remains closed and building assessed for collapse risk after Easter Monday fire
The ongoing aftermath of the Sterry Road fire.

NEATH: Man jailed for strangling vulnerable partner who he threatened would end up back on the streets

A man has been jailed after strangling his vulnerable partner to the point she lost consciousness, a court has heard.

Daniel Rogers, 38, formerly of Croft Road in Neath but now of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to intentional strangulation at Swansea Crown Court. He has also been made subject to a restraining order protecting his victim.

Rogers had initially denied the offence, claiming the injuries to the woman had been caused during consensual sexual activity — a defence he maintained until shortly before trial, when he reversed his plea and admitted the charge.

The court heard that Rogers and the woman had met in 2021, when the victim was homeless and Rogers had an income and stable accommodation. Over time she developed feelings for him, but he used her vulnerability to control her, making threats that she would end up back on the streets.

The attack took place on April 28, 2024, at an Airbnb rental property in the Neath area. The court heard that both had been drinking when a verbal argument broke out. Rogers became increasingly aggressive, screaming in the woman’s face before grabbing her and throwing her onto the bed. He then put both hands around her throat and squeezed.

The victim struggled to get free, later describing how she felt unable to breathe and feared her eyes “were going to burst.” She lost consciousness and cannot remember how the assault ended — only that police were present when she came round. A neighbour had called 999 after hearing screams.

When officers arrived, the victim told them Rogers had done nothing wrong. It was only the following day, speaking to a domestic violence support worker, that she revealed what had really happened — saying she had not told the truth to police because she did not think she would be believed and feared Rogers would not be arrested.

Rogers came to the attention of police again in August 2024 after a member of the public called 999 reporting screams and a disturbance involving the same woman. Following his arrest, the victim disclosed the full details of the April strangulation.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said Rogers’ behaviour had severely impacted her mental health and that she no longer feels safe. She said she had believed she was going to die when he strangled her, and that looking back she believed he had deliberately exploited her vulnerabilities and the fact she had nowhere else to go.

Recorder Greg Bull KC, sentencing, told Rogers that strangulation was not permitted in law even with consent, and that its consequences can be fatal. He noted Rogers’ “appalling” record for violence and expressed concern at the length of time the case had taken to come to court.

Rogers has 26 previous convictions for 27 offences, including battery of a former partner, assaulting emergency workers, breaching a non-molestation order, and a particularly chilling offence of sending threatening communications to an ex-girlfriend — including messages saying he was going to kill her, accompanied by a photograph of himself digging what he described as her grave.

Sergeant Danielle Walters said: “Daniel Rogers’ victim felt like he was going to kill her as a result of his domestic violence. She had been scared to report what he was doing at first, due to her fear of reprisal from Rogers if she did so.

“Sadly, this is an all-too-common occurrence in cases of domestic violence such as this. She has been through a terrible ordeal, and we are pleased that she is finally free of his abuse now that he is going to prison. The victim is receiving all the available support after coming through the ordeal.”

Rogers was sentenced to 18 months in prison. With credit for his guilty plea he will serve up to half that time in custody before being released on licence.

Anyone experiencing domestic abuse can contact the Live Fear Free helpline on 0808 80 10 800, available 24 hours a day. The Samaritans can be reached on 116 123.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack
Another sentencing story from Swansea Crown Court.

Abuse horror: Man jailed after decade of child sexual offences
Further coverage from our courts reporter.

Port Talbot man who preyed on vulnerable girls jailed for rape

45-year-old Michael Allen, from Port Talbot, was convicted in March of four counts of rape against two separate complainants. Both victims were under the age of 18 at the time of Allen’s offending.

A judge at Swansea Crown Court praised the courage of his victims in coming forward and giving evidence at trial, describing them as “impressive young ladies.”

The court heard that both the defendants victims were vulnerable young girls who were experiencing difficulties at home when he raped them.

Allen, of Tanygores Street, Port Talbot, had previously been convicted of two counts of rape of a girl under 13 and two counts of rape of a girl under 16 when he returned to the dock for sentencing.

Judge Catherine Richards said given everything she had heard, Allen was sexually attracted to young girls and poses a serious risk to such girls were he to gain access to them again.

Allen was given a sentence of 24 years in prison and will be registered on the Sex Offenders list for the rest of his life. He has also been made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to control his access to girls under the age of 16

Detective Constable Penny Romanello said:

“This thorough investigation has shown that Michael Allen is an incredibly dangerous man capable of horrendous sexual crimes against children.

“His two victims have been through a dreadful ordeal at his hands; one which we cannot even begin to understand the damage that he has caused them both physically and mentally.

“We commend them both for their bravery in speaking up about Michael Allen’s crimes.”

If you have been sexually abused, and you are not yet ready to report to police, please don’t suffer in silence. A wealth of information and details of support services can be found here: https://www.south-wales.police.uk/…/rape-sexual…/

[Lead image: South Wales Police]

CAUGHT DEALING: Townhill man who tried to outrun police found hiding behind parked car — and cocaine was on the ground beside him

A Swansea drug dealer who tried to flee from plain-clothed police officers has been jailed for three years and eight months after being caught hiding behind parked cars — with cocaine on the ground nearby.

Kian Meredith, 22, of Caradog Place, Townhill, was spotted by officers on patrol in Prince of Wales Road in Swansea, who observed what they believed was a drug deal taking place among a group of known drug users. When officers approached, the group scattered. Meredith ran towards the Dyfatty junction before being found a short time later crouching behind two parked vehicles on Greenhill Street.

On the ground near him were wraps of cocaine. When searched, officers found a mobile phone and £115 in cash.

A download of Meredith’s phone later revealed messages related to the supply of cocaine and crack cocaine over the previous three months, as well as a so-called “tick list” — a record of money owed to him by customers. He answered no comment to all questions in police interview.

Meredith had already pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and to simple possession of cocaine when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing.

The case was made significantly more serious by Meredith’s history. He was out of prison on licence at the time of the offence, having previously been convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply cocaine in 2023 — offences linked to the Jack line, a drugs network that was supplying significant quantities of both cocaine and heroin to users around Swansea. He received three years in a young offenders institution for those matters.

His barrister Emily Bennett told the court that Meredith had relapsed into cocaine and crack use in January this year “for no particular reason,” which had led to what she described as a “spiral” of addiction, debt and then dealing. She said his decision to run from officers when approached reflected his lack of maturity.

Ms Bennett said her client wanted to use his time in custody constructively, tackle his addiction issues, and train as a barber “so he is in a better position when he comes out of prison.”

Judge Catherine Richards said she accepted that Meredith’s life had been blighted by drugs, but said that by the age of just 22 he had been caught dealing on three separate occasions — and that the most recent offence was aggravated by the fact he had been on licence at the time. With a one-third reduction for his guilty pleas, she imposed a sentence of three years and eight months. He will serve 40% of that in custody before being released on licence.

The area where Meredith was caught has been the focus of a dedicated crackdown by South Wales Police, which has already seen crime fall 12% and anti-social behaviour drop 69% in the Dyfatty area following targeted enforcement activity.

South Wales Police Sergeant Luke Tucker said: “Kian Meredith was caught in the act while trying to peddle his poison onto the streets of Swansea. He is now going to prison for almost four years — a very costly price to pay which shows that dealing Class A drugs is just not worth it. Our officers will find you and you will go to prison.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Crime down 12% and anti-social behaviour down 69% as Dyfatty crackdown delivers early results
South Wales Police targeted the same area where Meredith was caught dealing, with significant early results.

Drug gang busted: Swansea man jailed as cocaine network smashed in multi-area operation
South Wales Police smashed a major drugs supply operation across multiple areas of Swansea.

Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack
A violent revenge attack in Swansea led to lengthy prison sentences for those involved.

SWANSEA: Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack

Swansea Crown Court heard that the background to the violence was a belief on the part of brothers Adam Miller and Kristian Thomas that Corey Jenkins was involved in drug dealing in the Ravenhill area of Swansea.

On 6 June, the pair acted on that belief by taking golf clubs to the Jenkins family home on Rhodfa’r Brain, where they smashed a number of downstairs windows before walking to the nearby home of a relative, David Dallimore.

In response, four members of the Jenkins family — Paul, Christopher, Corey and Lisa Jenkins — armed themselves with weapons and made their way to Mr Dallimore’s address, where the confrontation spilled into the street.

The disturbance was captured on CCTV and mobile phone footage. Corey Jenkins was seen wielding a plank of wood studded with nails and a metal pole, Paul Jenkins had a hammer, and Christopher and Lisa Jenkins were armed with sticks.

During the melee, Thomas struck neighbour Kirsty Choi on the head with a metal pole as she tried to help an injured member of the Jenkins family nearby.

Judge Catherine Richards said that while Miller and Thomas had sparked the incident by taking the law into their own hands and attacking the Jenkins home, the Jenkins family had then armed themselves and engaged in an act of “vigilantism” without regard for the impact on the wider community or the fear caused to fellow residents.

The judge’s remarks underlined the serious impact the disorder had on innocent people in the area. Residents who had no connection to either party were left to witness a large-scale armed confrontation on their street, with the judge making clear that the Jenkins family’s decision to arm themselves and pursue retribution had significantly aggravated the situation.

Paul Jenkins, 64, Christopher Paul Jenkins, 45, Corey Jenkins, 23, and Lisa Dawn Jenkins, 45, all of Rhodfa’r Brain, Ravenhill, had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. Paul and Christopher Jenkins have previous convictions; Corey and Lisa Jenkins had been of previously good character.

Kristian Dale Thomas, 39, of Tudno Place, Penlan, had pleaded guilty to criminal damage and was convicted at trial of the unlawful wounding of Miss Choi. He was described as having an extensive record including possession of offensive weapons, affray, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and handling stolen goods.

Adam Miller, 34, also of Tudno Place, Penlan, had pleaded guilty to criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. He too was described as having an extensive record including affray, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, arson and criminal damage. Both men were acquitted at trial of violent disorder in relation to the Rhodfa’r Brain incident. Mr Dallimore was also found not guilty.

With discounts for their guilty pleas, Paul Jenkins and Christopher Jenkins were both sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Corey Jenkins to 22 months. Lisa Jenkins received an 18-month sentence suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and abide by a nightly curfew for two months.

Miller was sentenced to nine months in prison. Thomas, whose conviction at trial for the wounding of Miss Choi added significantly to his sentence, received 26 months in prison.

Those given immediate custodial sentences will serve 40% of their terms behind bars before being released on licence to complete the remainder in the community. The case was prosecuted following a police investigation into the disorder, which had been captured in detail on CCTV and mobile phone footage recovered from the scene.

GOWERTON: Dramatic scenes as skip lorry loses control after hitting Railway bridge

A bridge that has been crashed into dozens of times over the years has been struck once again in Gowerton, temporarily closing the road from vehicle access.

Trafle Mill railway bridge, located on Victoria Road in Gowerton, which has a height limit of 3.3 metres, is a notorious accident blackspot, hit over 30 times in the past decade, often by tall lorries and buses.

As of 2026, it remains one of Wales’ most frequently struck bridges, causing significant traffic delays and rail safety checks. 

Despite existing signage and warnings, vehicles continue to hit the bridge. Network Rail has previously installed extra warning signs and laser sensors to alert drivers, but still accidents occur.

The most recent notable vehicle strike occurred in April 2023, when a van hit the bridge, requiring police assistance for traffic management. Other significant strikes in recent years include: 

• May 2022: An agricultural vehicle struck the bridge, leading to a temporary road closure for damage assessment.
• August 2020: A Swansea Council refuse collection vehicle (bin lorry) hit the bridge, causing significant tailbacks and disrupting local bus services.
• March 2020: A Kingsmill bread van had its roof sliced off while attempting to pass underneath.
• October 2019: A lorry’s roof was completely ripped off, which prompted rail service delays as a safety precaution. 

On this occasion, the road was closed in both directions on the B4296 and the A484 roundabout (near the old ‘the Wave’ studios) for some time, with South Wales Police present.

Local resident, Mark Needs captured the dramatic scenes below.

Thankfully, no one was hurt in the accident, with the Force confirming the road had reopened later in the evening.

[Lead image: Julian Morgan]

SWANSEA: Crime down 12% and anti-social behaviour down 69% as Dyfatty crackdown delivers early results

The results cover the period between 15 January and 15 March, the first two months of the Clear Hold Build initiative, which was launched by South Wales Police and partners in late March with a pledge to take back the streets from organised crime.

South Wales Police say that in that period, officers carried out 28 proactive arrests for offences including assaults, robberies, drug dealing and possession, fail-to-appear warrants and weapon-related offences. A further 45 stop searches were conducted, 15 of which produced positive results leading to arrests or out-of-court disposals.

Police say 38 people were issued with directions to leave the area in response to anti-social behaviour, and four community protection warning notices were issued to repeat offenders with no legitimate reason to be in Dyfatty. Officers also executed five misuse-of-drugs warrants at identified addresses during the period.

The 69% reduction in reported anti-social behaviour incidents compared to the same period last year is particularly striking given the scale of the problems that preceded the operation. Residents had been living with the effects of organised crime for years — a situation Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones described as “long overdue” for action when the operation launched.

Acting Chief Inspector Andrew Hedley said the results reflected the strength of the partnership approach established between police, the local authority, support services and the community. “Our continued presence in Dyfatty is making a real difference, and we are committed to building on this progress to ensure residents feel safe and supported,” he said. “This is only the beginning, and we will keep working together to deliver long-lasting improvements for the area.”

The Clear Hold Build model, backed by the Home Office, follows a three-phase approach. The first — Clear — involves a year-long police-led crackdown targeting offenders and disrupting criminal networks. The second phase, Hold, focuses on stabilising the area and preventing gangs from returning once enforcement pressure eases. The final phase, Build, brings long-term investment to tackle the root causes of crime and support economic growth.

The force says the Dyfatty project is the flagship scheme for the Swansea Public Services Board and builds on similar operations delivered elsewhere in the South Wales Police force area, including in Merthyr Tydfil, Adamsdown, Roath and Butetown.

The Hold phase will be led by Swansea Council working with all Public Services Board partners, and police and partners say it will focus on maintaining security, preventing criminal re-infiltration and strengthening community confidence. The Build phase will begin during the Hold phase and continue over the longer term.

The operation is being coordinated through the Swansea Public Services Board, which brings together South Wales Police, Swansea Council, Swansea Bay University Health Board and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Council leader Rob Stewart had pledged at the outset that the project would run alongside a separate regeneration programme expected to bring up to £20 million of investment into Dyfatty over the next decade.

The early results suggest the intensive enforcement phase is having a tangible effect on the ground. Police have not yet detailed how many of the 28 arrests have led to charges or prosecutions, but the volume of activity in just eight weeks underlines the scale of the operation.

The force has signalled that work will continue in the months ahead, with the stated aim not simply of making arrests but of achieving lasting change for residents who have long borne the brunt of crime and disorder in the area.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Dyfatty crime crackdown: Major police operation targets Swansea hotspot
Our original report on the launch of the Clear Hold Build operation in March.

Dyfatty set for £20m investment boost
The regeneration plans running alongside the police operation.

Dyfatty flats set for major upgrade
Multi-million pound plans to improve ageing council tower blocks in the area.

GOWERTON: Sterry Road closure could be eased after structural report — but schools return to disruption next week

In a video update posted to social media on Saturday morning, the ward councillor said he had been liaising directly with a specialist building control manager at Swansea Council, and that a team had been commissioned to assess what remains of the Victorian building. He said the road could reopen fully or partially depending on what the report finds, and promised to update the community as soon as the findings were known.

The building was gutted by fire on Easter Monday afternoon, when crews from six fire stations — Gorseinon, Swansea Central, Morriston, Tumble, Llanelli and Swansea West — attended the blaze at the derelict three-storey structure at 1.13pm. The building’s roof collapsed during the fire, and the scale of the response required a full multi-agency attendance including structural engineers, the local highways department, National Grid, the gas board and South Wales Police alongside fire crews.

Cllr Jenkins also flagged growing concern about the impact on traffic when schools return after the Easter holidays next week. Sterry Road is one of Gowerton’s busiest streets — a main shopping artery for the village, home to local businesses including the Gowerton Fish and Chips shop immediately next door to the damaged building, and a key bus route connecting Swansea to Waunarlwydd, Gowerton and Gorseinon. Its continued closure has caused significant disruption to residents, businesses and commuters throughout the week, and the councillor warned that congestion was likely to worsen once the school run resumes.

The councillor thanked the fire brigade and police for securing the area and making it safe in the aftermath of the blaze. He also raised the possibility that the fire may have been started deliberately, saying that if that proved to be the case, those responsible had put the lives of firefighters, officers and the public at risk.

South Wales Police confirmed earlier this week that a formal fire investigation was not required. Sterry Road was closed while structural engineers assessed the building for collapse risk, with police warning at that stage that there was no timescale for reopening while the danger remained.

National Grid engineers were also called to the scene to deal with overhead power lines affected by the blaze. A spokesperson confirmed that as a precaution the electricity supply was disconnected and removed, and protective works were carried out to enable scaffolding to be erected safely. “All work has been focused on safety and all of our equipment has now been made safe,” the spokesperson said, adding that there was no wider impact on local electricity supplies.

Scaffolding has been erected across the front of the gutted structure as contractors assess what remains. Local residents say the section of road alongside the chippy side of the street remains inaccessible, though pedestrians have been able to use the opposite pavement near Top Fade barbers and Gowerton station during the closure.

The building has a troubled history well before Easter Monday’s blaze. It was previously damaged by fire in October 2020, with a new roof fitted in 2021 — the same roof destroyed in Monday’s fire. When the property was listed for sale in 2023 at £230,000, the seller declared that fire damage from the 2020 incident remained unresolved. The building was most recently in use as the home of the Community Cwtch charity shop, whose signage remains visible on the ground floor of the fire-damaged structure.

The former London and North Western Railway Club has been a landmark on Sterry Road for well over a century. Its derelict state and troubled recent history had already made it a concern in the community before Monday’s fire reduced it to a shell, with the loss of its roof — fitted just four years ago — leaving the Victorian walls exposed to the elements.

Cllr Jenkins said he would continue to liaise with the council’s building control team and would share the findings of the structural report with residents as soon as they were available. In the meantime, drivers are advised to avoid Sterry Road and use alternative routes.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

National Grid called in as work to make fire-damaged building safe continues on Sterry Road
The latest update before today’s announcement, including photos from the scene.

Road remains closed and building assessed for collapse risk after Easter Monday fire
How the situation developed in the days following the blaze.

Roof collapses as fire guts former LNW Club on Sterry Road — blaze now extinguished
Our original report on the Easter Monday fire.

Gorseinon Hospital bosses make personal pledge to councillors: ‘We are not closing this hospital’

Chair Jan Williams and Chief Executive Abi Harris attended a meeting at the hospital itself to face councillors directly, following months of worry sparked by the temporary transfer of inpatient beds to Singleton Hospital and the appearance of metal security plates on the West Ward windows.

The beds were moved to Singleton in October last year over patient safety concerns, and were supposed to return by 31 March. That deadline has now been pushed back to 30 September — because, the health board says, the safety work wasn’t finished in time to bring patients back safely.

The security plates caused particular alarm in the community. The health board says they were put up after thieves broke into a disused bungalow at the back of the hospital and stole copper piping. South Wales Police were called, and a person was subsequently arrested and charged. The plates will come down, the health board says, once window latches are secured and security cameras are installed.

Speaking after the meeting, Jan Williams and Abi Harris said: “We have a number of services delivered from the hospital which are looking for additional space to ensure they can see as many patients as possible — including the pacemaker and heart failure clinics. We are supporting those services to make use of the space freed up in the ward area on a temporary basis.”

They also revealed that pacemaker and heart failure clinics are looking to expand into the space freed up by the ward closure on a temporary basis — a sign, the health board says, of the building’s continued use rather than a wind-down.

Gorseinon Hospital continues to operate a long list of services that are completely unaffected by the bed transfer. These include musculoskeletal physiotherapy, respiratory and cardiology clinics including the Heart Failure Clinic for patients across the whole of Swansea Bay, phlebotomy, district nursing, school nursing, health visiting, Parkinson’s nurses, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and community bladder and bowel health teams.

The health board says the longer-term future of the hospital will be decided through its wider clinical services review — Transforming for the Future — which looks at how all services can best be delivered. Hospital bosses added that a series of public listening events is planned, starting in Gorseinon, to give local people a say in what happens next.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Health board insists Gorseinon Hospital will not close as councillors press case for inpatient services
The previous round of assurances — and the pressure that prompted them.

Health board confirms temporary transfer of Gorseinon Hospital inpatient beds to Singleton
How it started — and what the health board said when the beds were first moved.

Health board considers moving all inpatient beds from Gorseinon Hospital to Singleton
The story from the very beginning.

ABERAVON: Lifebuoy set on fire on beach during Easter holiday disorder — police and coastguard warn vandalism “could have had dire consequences”

Police and the coastguard have condemned the destruction of life-saving equipment on a South Wales beach during the Easter holidays after a lifebuoy was among items set alight by vandals.

South Wales Police say officers received reports of a number of items being deliberately burned on Aberavon Beach earlier this week, including the orange lifebuoy ring on North Pier.

Port Talbot Coastguard, who shared the same image of the charred ring, confirmed it was one of the life rings located on the North Pier on the small side of Aberafan Beach — equipment they say is vital for those first on scene in an emergency.

Inspector Andrew Price of South Wales Police said the damage could have cost someone their life. “We want everyone to enjoy themselves in the good weather, but there is absolutely no excuse for damaging this vital life-saving equipment,” he said. “This vandalism could have had dire consequences if somebody had got into difficulty, so it is incredibly fortunate that this was not the case.”

Port Talbot Coastguard said they respond to many incidents at this location and urged the public to treat the equipment with respect. “These are essential pieces of life-saving equipment, provided for use in emergency situations,” they said. “We kindly ask all members of the public to treat them with respect and refrain from tampering with or damaging them, so they remain available and fully functional when needed.”

Photographs from the scene show the lifebuoy ring burned through and lying in the sand, its foam filling destroyed. A second image shows a beach chair and charred wood left behind from what appears to have been an unauthorised fire, with litter scattered across a wide stretch of beach in front of nearby residential housing.

The incident is the latest in a wave of anti-social behaviour that has blighted coastal and town centre locations across the region during the school holidays. In Swansea, a 48-hour dispersal order was imposed on the city centre — covering an area stretching from the Quadrant to the National Waterfront Museum — after a police officer was assaulted by a 14-year-old and a series of other incidents over the Easter weekend. In Tenby, four teenagers were stabbed at the railway station, prompting furious demands from local councillors for more visible policing.

The destruction of rescue equipment carries consequences that outlast the moment of vandalism. Lifebuoys are not always replaced immediately when damaged or stolen, leaving a gap in safety provision that can persist for days — particularly at beaches without lifeguard cover. The coastguard urged anyone who witnesses damage to the equipment to inform police immediately.

The issue is one Swansea Council has been working to address directly. Earlier this year the authority rolled out smart sensors fitted to more than 40 Public Rescue Aid units at waterside locations across the city, with the system automatically alerting the Water Safety Team when a rescue ring is opened or disturbed — allowing replacements to be put in place within 24 hours.

Aberavon Beach itself is subject to a dedicated seasonal operation targeting anti-social behaviour. Operation Adriatic — now in its fourth year — sees South Wales Police work alongside Neath Port Talbot Council, the RNLI and other agencies to keep the seafront safe. RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Clive Morris has previously said the operation has helped create “a vibrant and welcoming beachfront” — making the deliberate targeting of safety equipment all the more jarring.

Aberavon Beach is one of the most popular stretches of coastline in Neath Port Talbot, managed by the council and used by thousands of families and visitors throughout the summer season.

South Wales Police have been stepping up activity at known anti-social behaviour hotspots as the warmer months approach. Inspector Price urged anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour to report it on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Taskforce aims to clamp down on Aberavon Beach antisocial behaviour
Operation Adriatic — the multi-agency summer operation now in its fourth season at Aberavon seafront.

New smart sensors rolled out to protect Swansea’s water users
How Swansea Council’s sensor network helps keep rescue equipment in service and replacements swift.

SWANSEA: Police impose 48-hour dispersal order on city centre after Easter holiday disorder
Officers respond to disorder across Swansea including the waterfront area over the Easter break.

LLANELLI: Police crack down on North Dock anti-social behaviour hotspot as spring season begins
Officers move to address disorder at a well-known trouble spot as warmer weather arrives.

GOWERTON: National Grid called in as work to make fire-damaged building safe continues on Sterry Road

New images taken at the scene on Wednesday morning show the full extent of the damage to the Victorian building, which lost its roof in Monday’s fire. Scaffolding has been erected across the front of the structure as contractors assess what remains. National Grid vehicles and a cherry picker were photographed on site as engineers worked on overhead power lines in the immediate area.

South Wales Police remain at the scene. Warning signs and barrier tape are in place across Sterry Road, which continues to be closed to traffic. Local residents say the section of road alongside the chippy side of the street remains inaccessible, though pedestrians can use the opposite pavement near Top Fade barbers and Gowerton station.

The fire broke out at 1.13pm on Easter Monday, with six fire stations responding to the blaze at the derelict three-storey building. Crews from Gorseinon, Swansea Central, Morriston, Tumble, Llanelli and Swansea West attended, deploying a turntable ladder as a water tower. The building’s roof collapsed during the fire.

Fire crews left the scene at 6.20pm on Monday. A reinspection at 11pm extinguished remaining hotspots, with scene management then handed to South Wales Police for overnight monitoring. A further reinspection was carried out at 8am on Tuesday morning.

South Wales Police confirmed on Tuesday that a formal fire investigation was not required. The road was closed while structural engineers assessed the building for collapse risk, with police warning at that stage there was no timescale for reopening.

The building has a troubled history. It was previously damaged by fire in October 2020, with a new roof fitted in 2021 — the same roof destroyed in Monday’s blaze. When the property was listed for sale in 2023 at £230,000, the seller declared that fire damage from the 2020 incident remained.

The building was most recently in use as the home of the Community Cwtch charity shop, whose signage remains visible on the ground floor of the fire-damaged structure.

Sterry Road is one of Gowerton’s main commercial arteries and its continued closure is causing significant disruption to the village. The Gowerton Fish and Chips shop, located immediately adjacent to the damaged building, is among the businesses affected.

A National Grid spokesperson said: “Following the fire at a property in Gowerton, and at the request of the emergency services, our engineers attended the site to make the electricity supply safe. As a precaution, the supply was disconnected and removed, and protective works were carried out to enable scaffolding to be erected safely.

“All work has been focused on safety and all of our equipment has now been made safe. There is no wider impact on local electricity supplies.”

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SWANSEA: Police impose 48-hour dispersal order on city centre after Easter holiday disorder

The Section 35 order, granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, came into force on Wednesday and runs until 9.30am on Friday 10 April. It covers a wide area including the Quadrant shopping centre and bus station, Parc Tawe, the Kingsway, Dyfatty, and the area surrounding the National Waterfront Museum.

A Section 35 order gives police the power to instruct anyone who is causing — or is likely to cause — harassment, alarm or distress to leave a defined area for up to 48 hours. Refusing to leave when directed by an officer is a criminal offence, as is returning to the area within the specified period.

Acting Chief Inspector Andrew Hedley said the order had been authorised following an unacceptable number of reports of youths congregating and causing violence and disorder.

“We are increasing our patrols in the area and intensifying our approach,” he said. “This means that any young person found committing anti-social behaviour in the area will face formal action.”

Among the incidents prompting the order, a police officer was assaulted by a 14-year-old girl, who was subsequently arrested. A teenage boy was also arrested for engaging in disorder over the weekend, with his mother having to collect him from the custody suite.

Acting Chief Inspector Hedley issued a direct message to parents. “I would urge parents to assist us by checking where their children are going and what activities they are engaging in,” he said. “On the weekend, one mother experienced the stress of having to come to collect her son from the custody suite after he had been arrested for engaging in disorder — this is not a scenario we want to see repeated.”

He added: “Officers will not hesitate to enforce these extra powers in order to keep the community safe. Everyone should be able to come into Swansea city centre during the sunny weather and enjoy their time free of any form of harassment or anti-social behaviour.”

The inclusion of Dyfatty in the dispersal zone is significant. South Wales Police launched the Dyfatty Clear Hold Build project in March — a major long-term operation targeting serious organised crime, anti-social behaviour and community safety concerns in the area around High Street North and the nearby tower blocks. The project follows a national model backed by the Home Office, with a year-long police crackdown as its first phase.

Running alongside the policing operation is a £20 million regeneration programme aimed at transforming Dyfatty over the next decade. Swansea West MP Torsten Bell has urged residents to help shape the investment, which is intended to address the deep-rooted social and economic challenges in the neighbourhood.

A similar Section 35 order was imposed in Gorseinon earlier this year following a rise in anti-social behaviour there.

The dispersal order expires at 9.30am on Friday 10 April. Anyone with information about disorder in the area is asked to contact South Wales Police.

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GOWERTON: Road remains closed and building assessed for collapse risk after Easter Monday fire

Sterry Road in Gowerton remains closed this morning as structural engineers assess the safety of the building gutted by fire on Easter Monday, with police warning there is no timescale for reopening while the risk of collapse remains.

A major fire broke out at the former London and North Western Railway Club on Sterry Road on Monday afternoon, with six fire stations responding and the road closed in both directions. The building’s roof collapsed as a result of the blaze.

A South Wales Police spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday morning that the road closure was still in place and that the building was being assessed for structural safety. The road was “likely to be closed until the building can be made safe,” the spokesperson said, adding that there was no timescale for reopening at that stage.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has now released full details of Monday’s response, which saw crews from six fire stations attend the blaze. Appliances from Gorseinon, Swansea Central, Morriston, Tumble, Llanelli and Swansea West were all called to the incident at 1.13pm.

Crews faced a fire in a derelict three-storey building measuring approximately 25 metres by 14 metres. A turntable ladder was deployed as a water tower, supported by a bowser, two smooth boards, a 45mm hose, four breathing apparatus sets, two hose reel jets and two safety officers.

The scale of the incident required a full multi-agency response, with structural engineers, the Local Highways Department, South Wales Police, National Grid, the Gas Board and Local Authorities all attending the scene alongside fire crews.

Fire and Rescue crews left the scene at 6.20pm. A reinspection was carried out at 11pm, with remaining hotspots extinguished using a main jet and hose reel jet before officers handed over scene management to South Wales Police for overnight monitoring. A further reinspection by Fire and Rescue crews was completed at 8am on Tuesday morning.

South Wales Police have confirmed that a formal fire investigation is not required. The road remained closed overnight due to the ongoing risk of building collapse.

The building has a troubled history. It was previously damaged by fire in October 2020, with a new roof fitted in 2021 — the same roof now lost in Monday’s blaze. When the property was listed for sale in 2023 at £230,000, the seller declared that fire damage from the 2020 incident remained.

Sterry Road is one of Gowerton’s main commercial arteries and its continued closure is causing disruption to the village. Drivers are advised to use alternative routes until further notice.

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KILVEY HILL: Police warn protesters action will follow as demonstration continues over Skyline development

South Wales Police has issued a public warning to protesters on Kilvey Hill that officers will take action against anyone breaking the law, as ongoing protest activity continues at the site of the controversial Skyline development in Swansea.

In a statement published on social media, the force said it was aware of protest activity taking place in the Kilvey Hill area in relation to development work at the site, and that while it supported the right to peaceful protest, that right came with legal limits.

“We support the right for people to make their voices heard through protest providing it is done lawfully,” the force said. “Decisions about how to police protests require consideration of complex and often competing rights and issues.”

The statement added that officers would act against those who broke the law, whether at the time of the offence or after the fact. “We will take action against anyone who breaks the law, whether this is at the time of the offence or retrospectively,” police said.

However, at least one resident, supportive of the protesters, has pushed back on any suggestion that protest activity is behind whatever prompted the police warning. Anita Aamp, who has commented publicly on the development online, said those who had opposed the scheme had always done so peacefully and within the law, and had maintained regular contact with local officers throughout. “I can pretty much assure you that whatever has happened on the hill has nothing to do with any protests,” she said, suggesting that with the Easter school holidays under way, police might want to “look further afield, as you normally would.”

The Skyline development — a multi-million pound leisure scheme backed by £4m in Welsh Government funding — has been one of the most contentious planning projects in Swansea in recent years. The project, which includes a cable car, luge runs and other visitor attractions, was approved by Swansea Council and is projected to bring significant economic benefits to the city, with reports suggesting it could generate substantial visitor numbers and support job creation in the area.

Supporters of the scheme point to the long-term regeneration potential of Kilvey Hill, arguing that the removal of diseased non-native trees is a necessary precursor to replanting with broadleaf native species, and that the development will transform a largely neglected hillside into a world-class tourism destination.

Opposition has come primarily from a vocal group of local residents living close to the hill, who have raised concerns about the impact on the area’s ecology and community character. Among the flashpoints was the fate of the Green Man of Kilvey — a wire and moss sculpture built by local man Pete Thomas in 1998 — which was left exposed in a cleared landscape after felling work began. Kilvey Woodland Volunteers described it as the “eviction” of a community icon that had stood for nearly 30 years. Skyline Swansea said the sculpture remained a priority and that they were committed to securing its future on the hill.

The controversy also took a political turn in February when Cllr Joe Hale posted a video announcing he was leaving Labour over the development. A statement from the office of council leader Rob Stewart subsequently confirmed that Cllr Hale had been suspended by the party six days before his video, following allegations of malicious communications and harassment that were also referred to South Wales Police. Cllr Hale denied being suspended, saying he had resigned over Skyline.

Both Swansea Council and Skyline Swansea have been actively countering what they describe as misinformation circulating online. The council confirmed that all tree felling had been carried out with planning consent granted in July 2025, and that Natural Resources Wales was consulted throughout the planning process. Developers have also said that ecology concerns raised by campaigners have been addressed.

South Wales Police said it remained open to dialogue with advocacy groups and that its approach would reflect “the values of fairness, equality, and justice.”

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MAESTEG MEAT THIEF: Serial shoplifter jailed and banned from town’s stores after six raids in six weeks

A Maesteg woman has been jailed after admitting six thefts from two of the town’s shops — walking away with meat, alcohol and coffee during a brazen spree that spanned just six weeks.

Samantha Jones, 41, was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Monday, March 30, 2026, after pleading guilty to all six counts of theft.

The offences took place between February and March 2026, with Jones targeting two stores in the Maesteg area in a run of raids that left local businesses counting the cost.

Four of the thefts were carried out at Asda on Castle Street in Maesteg, where Jones made off with meat and spirits worth a combined total of around £300.

The remaining two were carried out at Filco Stores on Hermon Road in Caerau, where she stole coffee and meat valued at approximately £80.

In total, Jones stole goods worth more than £380 across the six incidents.

The case was investigated by South Wales Police‘s Maesteg neighbourhood policing team, who built the case that led to Jones’s guilty pleas and sentencing.

As well as the custodial sentence, Jones has been made subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order — commonly known as a CBO — lasting two years.

The order places strict restrictions on where she is permitted to go once released. Jones is banned from entering any retail premises on Talbot Street and Commercial Street in Maesteg, as well as Asda on Castle Street, B&M Bargains on Llynfi Road and Filco Stores on Hermon Road in Caerau.

The conditions are designed to prevent Jones from returning to the areas and premises where she offended, offering some reassurance to local businesses that were targeted during the spree.

Maesteg Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Danielle Burton welcomed the outcome, saying the case demonstrated what the team could achieve for local traders.

“This was a thorough and in-depth investigation run by our neighbourhood policing teams,” she said. “Businesses in our community deserve to be able to trade without worrying about theft.”

Sgt Burton added that the consequences for Jones would continue well beyond her release date.

“Not only will Jones now serve a short sentence, but she will also be under conditions from the CBO when she is released from jail,” she said.

Shoplifting has become a growing concern for retailers across the region. South Wales Police have repeatedly urged businesses to report theft offences rather than writing them off, insisting that neighbourhood policing teams can and do take action — as this case demonstrates.

The CBO conditions mean that Jones faces further legal consequences if she is found in any of the banned locations after her release.

It is not the first time Bridgend County courts have dealt with repeat offending of this kind. Across the wider area, neighbourhood teams have increasingly turned to CBOs as a tool to protect businesses after shorter sentences fail to deter persistent offenders.

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DYFATTY CRIME CRACKDOWN: Major police operation targets Swansea hotspot

The Dyfatty Clear Hold Build project is now underway, targeting long-standing issues linked to serious organised crime, anti-social behaviour and community safety concerns in the area around High Street North and nearby tower blocks.

Led by South Wales Police alongside the city council and other agencies, the operation is being described as a “long overdue” intervention for residents.

‘Long overdue’ action

Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones said the first phase will focus on removing criminal influence and protecting vulnerable people.

He said many residents have been forced to live with the impact of organised crime for years — despite having no connection to it themselves.

“This work is long overdue for the people who live in Dyfatty,” he said.

Three-phase plan to transform the area

The scheme follows the national Clear Hold Build model — a strategy backed by the Home Office.

• Clear phase: A year-long police-led crackdown targeting offenders and disrupting criminal networks
• Hold phase: Stabilising the area and preventing gangs from returning
• Build phase: Long-term investment to tackle the root causes of crime

Officials say the aim is not just arrests — but lasting change.

Millions pledged to ‘transform’ Dyfatty

Council leader Rob Stewart said the project will work alongside a separate regeneration programme expected to bring up to £20 million into the area over the next decade.

He said the combined efforts would help “clean up and stabilise” Dyfatty while supporting long-term improvements.

The initiative is being coordinated through the Swansea Public Services Board, which includes partners such as Swansea Bay University Health Board and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Community at the heart of the plan

Chair of the board, Andrea Harrington, said the project would focus on listening to residents and working with local communities to deliver change.

She described Dyfatty as a diverse area facing a range of challenges — but said partners were committed to creating a safer, stronger neighbourhood.

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Car plunges into Neath canal as rescuers wade in to save trapped pair

Emergency crews raced to Riverside Drive at 10.48am, where they found a silver vehicle partially submerged in the water with two casualties still inside.

Photos from the scene show the car nose‑down in the canal, doors flung open, as police, firefighters and paramedics lined the roadside.

Firefighters from Swansea Central, Neath and Pontardawe scrambled into the water, deploying a specialist wading team to reach the trapped occupants. Both casualties were pulled from the vehicle and handed to ambulance crews for assessment.

The incident drew a large emergency response, with multiple fire engines, police units and paramedics attending.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed crews left the scene at 11.18am, around half an hour after the first 999 call.

The condition of the two people rescued has not yet been released.

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FIREBUG TEENS SENTENCED after Bridgend arson attack caught on CCTV

Ellis Lloyd, 19, from Cefn Cribwr, and Taran Mills, 18, from North Cornelly, were sentenced today (March 17) at Cardiff Crown Court.

Lloyd was jailed for 34 months in a young offender institution, while Mills received a 24-month sentence suspended for two years.

Both had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of arson.

Car deliberately targeted

The court heard the incident happened in Brackla, Bridgend, in December 2025.

Emergency services were called after two cars were found on fire in a residential area.

CCTV footage later showed a Nissan Pixo circling the estate before the pair got out and approached an Audi Q5 parked on a driveway.

Hammer and petrol used

One of the teenagers was carrying a hammer, while the other had a jerry can.

They smashed the rear window of the vehicle before pouring in accelerant and setting it alight.

The fire quickly spread to a neighbouring car.

In a dramatic moment caught on CCTV, one of the pair was seen fleeing the scene after his coat also caught fire.

Police: “Senseless actions”

Detective Constable Sarah Jenkins, of South Wales Police, said the attack could have had far more serious consequences.

“The senseless actions of Lloyd and Mills could have got somebody seriously injured, and they will have known this when they were committing the offence,” she said.

“I hope their sentences give them the time they need to reflect on their actions.”

CCTV helped secure convictions

Officers were able to identify the pair through CCTV footage captured in the moments leading up to the fire.

Both defendants later admitted the offences and were sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court.

JAILED: Llanelli man who ignored victim’s pleas during flat attack sentenced to six years

Jason Bailey, now of Llanelli but formerly of Porthcawl, was sentenced today (March 17) at Cardiff Crown Court.

He had been found guilty of rape and assault following a trial relating to an incident on August 28, 2023.

Victim repeatedly said “no”

The court heard Bailey had previously approached the woman asking for “no strings fun”, which she rejected.

During the attack at the flat, the victim repeatedly told him “no” as he approached her.

Bailey ignored her refusals, pinned her down and carried out the assault.

Afterwards, he told her: “Between us, yeah?”

The victim later told friends, who contacted police.

Lasting impact on victim

In a victim personal statement, the woman described the impact the attack has had on her life.

She said she struggled to get out of bed, experienced flashbacks and developed anxiety and depression.

“I felt so angry at myself and blamed myself,” she said.

“I thought I could fight back but have struggled to come to terms with my reaction.”

Police praise victim’s bravery

Detective Constable Ashley Colston, of South Wales Police, said: “Jason Bailey was under no illusion that the acts he carried out were illegal, yet he did so anyway.

“Bailey exploited a power imbalance and thrived off it.

“We commend the bravery of the victim who came forward and helped secure this conviction.”

Court: “You did not take no for an answer”

Sentencing, the judge described the offence as an “opportunistic” sexual attack.

“You took the opportunity to force yourself upon her and did not take no for an answer,” the court heard.

Bailey was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

The court heard Bailey had no previous convictions, although he had received a caution in the past. Mitigation referenced personal and family difficulties, but the court said the seriousness of the offence required an immediate custodial sentence.

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