South Wales Police

On Sunday, January 29 Police charged an eighteen year old male from the Abercynon area with the murder of Mr David Evans, aged 63, whose body was found at his home address during the early hours of Friday 27th January 2012.
He was due to appear before at Cardiff Magistrates Court on Monday, January 30.
Police however, still wish to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or the events immediately afterwards, or to anyone who may have relevant information, who are asked to contact the incident room Central Police Station on 02920 571530  or Crimestoppers 0800 555111.

At 3.02 hours today (Friday, January 27) following information from the Fire Service, South Wales Police attended a house fire at Cefn Bychan, Pentyrch, Cardiff.
One person sustained fatal injuries and an 18-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
An incident room has been set up at Cardiff Central Police Station and an investigation is on-going.
No further information regarding the identity of the deceased is available at this time.
Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

POLICE in Cardiff want to trace the following individuals in connection with incidents in Canton and Roath

Canton assault:

POLICE investigating an assault in Canton, Cardiff, have released CCTV stills of two women they wish to speak with in connection with the incident.
A 20-year-old woman was assaulted by two unknown females as she walked from the cash machine at Tesco Metro to the taxi rank near Barclays Bank on Cowbridge Road East.
She fell to the floor, dropping her handbag and later discovered that her black Blackberry Curve phone was missing along with £30 cash.
Extensive enquiries have been made since the incident at around 11.30pm on October 15 including the examination of CCTV in the area.
Anyone who recognises the women in the CCTV, or the women themselves, are asked to contact Pc Ian Thomas on 07584883665 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Building society attempt armed robbery:

DETECTIVES in Cardiff continuing to investigate an attempt armed robbery at a city building society have released CCTV images of the man responsible.
Just before 5pm on December 22 a man entered the Principality in Albany Road, Roath, produced what appeared to be a sawn-off shotgun and demanded staff put money in a Spar carrier bag.
Rising shutters were activated and the suspect made off empty handed in the direction of Cottrell Road.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cardiff CID on 02920 527 420 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

WECTU activity – Cardiff

Yesterday evening (Thursday, January 19th), officers from the Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit (WECTU) and South Wales Police attended a Community Centre in the Canton area of Cardiff.

This followed concerns from the local community about meetings that have been taking place at this venue in recent months.

In support of the revised national PREVENT strategy, a number of individuals were spoken to and handed leaflets and letters advising them that they would no longer be allowed to hold meetings on council premises.

This is due to concerns that the organisers of these events may be associated with the organisation Muslims Against Crusades. This group was proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000, in November 2011, by the Home Secretary, Theresa May as it is believed to promote or glorify terrorism.

The policing operation was supported by Cardiff Council and represents a partnership approach to protecting the communities of Cardiff and South Wales from radicalisation and extremism.

The long standing support of Cardiff’s Muslim communities has been crucial in enabling police and partners to take action against a very small number of individuals whose activities are of concern.

During the police visit one local male was arrested for assault and a public order offence and remains in police custody.

The Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit and South Wales Police will be continuing to work with local communities to ensure that individuals or groups that glorify terrorism or engage in extremism that promotes terrorist ideologies have no voice within Cardiff and South Wales.

South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Jukes said:

“Last night’s activity forms part of a wider strategy to prevent radicalisation within our communities and to stop vulnerable people from being drawn into extremism or becoming prey to terrorist ideologies.

“While there is a need for a careful balance in protecting freedom of speech, promoting or glorifying terrorism is unlawful and groups such as Muslims Against Crusades have no place in South Wales. Our actions, and that of our partners, represent a proportionate response to this issue.

“South Wales Police is proud to have strong links with our communities, not just in Cardiff but across our force area, and their help and trust is vital to make sure that we tackle radicalisation and extremism together.

“This is a problem that will not be solved by police activity alone. It is essential we continue to work together to ensure all our communities have confidence in the police. Only in this way, will they feel confident to come to us with their concerns and confident that they can influence the future of their communities in a positive way.”

Chief Superintendent of the Cardiff area, Alun Maxwell Thomas said:

“We recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of the recent police activity. Neighbourhood Policing Teams and members of the South Wales Police Channel Project will be out in the area as usual to speak to anyone who may be worried or concerned.

“In Wales and particularly in Cardiff, we are fortunate to have the support of local communities and powerful partnerships to ensure PREVENT activity is focused and proportionate.

“It is important to stress that it is Cardiff’s Muslim communities who have expressed concerns about the activities of Muslims Against Crusades in the city. Yesterday’s action seeks to positively address these concerns.”

Chief Executive of Cardiff County Council Mr Jon House said :

“A number of concerns had been raised with Cardiff Council by the city's Muslim communities that individuals who might belong to an organisation which has been prescribed under the Terrorism Act 2000 Muslims Against Crusades could be using Council venues to hold meetings and potentially radicalise vulnerable members of our society.

“Due to these concerns and working closely with South Wales Police we have advised these individuals that they can no longer be allowed to hold meetings on Council premises.

“Freedom of speech is very important to the Council but the need for this must be carefully balanced alongside the need for the safety and wellbeing of our communities.”

Pupils design posters to tackle problem parking

The pupils in St Fagan’s Primary School have been busy trying to raise awareness amongst drivers of the dangers of problem parking. The street leading to their school in the Michaelston area of Cardiff is very narrow, and any illegal parking makes the walk to school potentially dangerous.

The pupils have received road safety talks from their local officers PC Ritchie Roberts and PCSO Chris Missen and have taken part in a problem busting poster competition. The competition has received loads of entries with the pupils designing some very colourful posters and coming up with very direct slogans to warn drivers about the dangers of problem parking.

The winning poster features the slogan ‘Don’t be a fool, park away from the school’ and will be made into an outdoor banner. Those pupils responsible for the winning and runner up posters received gift vouchers from their local Tecso store.

PCSO Chris Missen said “This road safety project has been all about engaging the pupils and delivering a very clear message to drivers about the dangers of illegal parking. The pupils have done a brilliant job in designing posters and have worked really hard to help make their journeys to school even safer.”

South Wales Police is investigating a road traffic collision in James Street, Cardiff, at around 3am today involving one vehicle and a male pedestrian.

The 25-year-old pedestrian was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he later died.

One man who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving and being unfit to drive through drink or drugs remains in custody.

Enquiries are on-going.

James Street is currently closed and motorists are advised to take alternative routes.

Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact South Wales Police by calling 101.

South Wales Police is continuing to investigate a road traffic collision in James Street, Cardiff, involving one vehicle and a male pedestrian.

A blue Fiat Cinquecento collided with the pedestrian on the pavement at around 3am after failing to stop for a marked police vehicle in the centre of Cardiff.

The 25-year-old, who has been named as Kyle Griffith from the Cardiff Bay area, was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he later died.

His family are being supported by a family liaison officer.

The driver of the vehicle, a 22-year-old man from Pentwyn, Cardiff, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

He has been re-arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to the incident and anyone who may have seen the blue Fiat Cinquecento prior to the collision.

It is known that the P-reg car was being driven through the city centre in the early hours of the morning and was pursued by the police vehicle.

Enquiries are on-going and a section of James Street remains closed.

Motorists are advised to take alternative routes.

The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Anyone who witnessed this incident or has other information is asked to contact South Wales Police by calling 101.

ROATH residents in Cardiff got a visit from their local officers this week as part of an operation to find out the issues they want tackled.

As part of Operation Perception, officers conducted a very different type of ‘house to house’ enquiries speaking to residents about their work to tackle crime and anti social behaviour, providing crime prevention advice, and collecting feedback.

The neighbourhood policing team, who were joined by representatives from Age UK and Neighbourhood Watch Cardiff, spent seven hours knocking on several hundred doors in and around Ninian Road, Shirley Road, Angus Street and Mackintosh Place.

Sergeant Alun Williams, who organised the day, said: “We are always looking for new ways to get the community involved in neighbourhood policing.

"Focusing resources on one geographic area helps deliver a strong message to our community that we want to understand their needs, and will continue to reduce and tackle crime and anti social behaviour.”

This type of community engagement event builds on a number of other tactics being used in Roath to tackle crime and anti social behaviour.

Sgt Williams added: “People were generally very positive and were surprised in particular by the reduction in burglaries.

“We are grateful for the support of Age UK and Neighbourhood Watch as we were able to resolve issues there and then. For example, when we visited a home of a vulnerable elderly person Age UK were on hand to offer security and mobility advice.”

Operation Perception has previously taken place in Llanrumney, Whitchurch and Rhiwbina. Similar operations are planned across Cardiff this year.

POLICE want to trace the following individuals in connection with incidents in across Cardiff.

Police in Cardiff continuing to investigating an attempted armed robbery at a bookmakers shop have released a CCTV image of a man they wish to trace in connection with the incident.
It happened at around 9.00am on Thursday December 8 at the William Hill Bookmakers, Wellfield Road, Roath.
A man armed with a small kitchen knife entered the premises and threatened a member of staff, demanding money is handed over. The victim refused to hand anything over and locked himself into a room. The suspect then left the premises.
Police want to speak to the man in CCTV still number 1 in connection with this incident.

POLICE investigating an assault in Church Street, Cardiff, are appealing for the information on a man captured on CCTV.
At around 11pm on November 28, a 20-year-old man was punched in the face by an unknown male demanding money.
Police want to speak to the man in CCTV still number 2 in connection with this incident.

On December 18 an unknown man entered the back garden of a house in Old Hill, St Mellons, Cardiff, and was seen looking into windows and attempting to open the patio doors.
No entry was gained.
DC Sarah Lee at St Mellons CID wants to speak to the man in CCTV still number 3 in connection with this incident.

Anyone with information on these men, or the individuals themselves, are asked to contact Cardiff CID on 02920 527 420 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Gwent Police and South Wales Police are appealing for information about two supermarket burglaries that occurred on Christmas Eve and are believed to be linked.

 At approximately 8.45pm, three men broke into the Sainsbury's Store, Newbridge Road Industrial Estate, Pontllanfraith and stole a range of electrical goods including: three Samsung 40'' LCD HD TVs; an emotion 23'' digital TV; a Sharp 22'' LCD TV; a Toshiba 19'' HD ready TV and DVD player; an LG 19'' TV; a Toshiba Blu-ray DVD player and a Sony iPod Speaker Dock.

At approximately 10pm, its believed the same three men broke into the Sainsbury store in Excalibur Drive, Thornhill and stole three televisions- a Samsung 40” and two 32” LCDs.

On each occasion the men left the store using a waiting vehicle, believed to be a silver saloon.

One of the men was wearing a balaclava and gloves; one had his hood up and another was wearing a grey woollen hat.

DC Steve Colston, from Rumney CID, South Wales Police, who is investigating the Thornhill incident said: "CCTV shows the men arriving in a silver car, believed to be a Vauxhall Vectra and stealing the goods and making off. On each occasion the incident lasted no more than five minutes.

"It could be that these goods were given away as Christmas presents the following day or sold by the burglars to make some cash over the festive period.

"But anyone who has bought, or is in possession, of any of these electrical items needs to be aware that they could be arrested for handling stolen property.”

Anyone with information is contact Rumney CID on 02920 774 233, Gwent Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.