South Wales Police

Thursday 1st December 2011

The CPS has today decided to discontinue proceedings in the trial of eight former police officers accused of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Simon Clements, the CPS reviewing lawyer in the case said: “The allegations against these men arose out of their investigation into the murder of Lynette White. Three men were wrongly convicted in 1990 of her murder and had their convictions quashed on appeal.

“These were extremely serious allegations that men who were then serving police officers had fabricated evidence to frame innocent people. We were satisfied at the time that this was a case which should go before a jury for trial.

“However, at the request of the judge on 28 November, a review by the prosecution of a certain section of the unused material has uncovered that some copies of files, originally reviewed but not considered discloseable at that time, were missing. This information related to complaints made by one of the original defendants to the IPCC and another complaint relating to the investigation. On inquiry, it was found that these copies had been destroyed and no record of the reason for their destruction had been made by the police officers concerned. This was the first time that prosecution counsel or the CPS had been made aware of this destruction.
 
“Although this relates to copies and not original files, it is now impossible to say for certain whether the copy was in fact exactly the same material that had been provided by the IPCC, reviewed and then destroyed. The destruction of those copies, along with the non-recording of the destruction, meant that it would be impossible to give meaningful re-assurances that no other material had been treated similarly, thus undermining the defence’s confidence in the disclosure process.

“Given the stage reached in the proceedings, the correct course of action is to offer no evidence, thus inviting verdicts of not guilty and ending the trial.”

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, QC, has been consulted and is extremely concerned about the outcome. Both he and the Chief Constable for South Wales Police have agreed that there must be a full and detailed review of the circumstances in which this decision has had to be made, and that the review will have the full support and cooperation of South Wales Police.

Sent on behalf of Deputy Chief Constable Colette Paul

Taff officers are building links with blind people by walking in their shoes.
To give officers a better understanding about the problems blind people face in their day to day lives, officers were made to walk around Pontypridd police station and through nearby streets wearing special glasses designed to replicate what life is like for them.
The recent training session was delivered by a representative from the Royal National Institute for the Blind, and was the brainchild of PCSO Lisa Banfield who has close links with Sensory Impaired Drop In Scheme for the Blind (SIDs) in Rhydfelin. 
Sector Inspector Nigel Griffiths said: “As a force we pledge to put the needs of the community at the heart of what we do.
“The blind community do have their own requirements and face unique challenges, but they need the police service just like everybody else.
“Sessions such as these enable us to adapt in the right way to meet those needs.
“We took a similar approach to engaging with the deaf community and it has since paid dividends so we are looking forward to the future.”
An unprecedented partnership was forged between the Taff team and the Institute for the Deaf earlier this year, when a special deaf pact event was held at the Wales Council for the Deaf, Pontypridd.
The meetings – facilitated by a signer - have been well received by the deaf community and attract lots of people, many of them even travelling from beyond the force’s boundaries from places like Monmouth. The concept is now being rolled out across the rest of the force area and beyond.

23 Tachwedd 2011

Neges gan Heddlu De Cymru

Parthed: Diwrnod o streicio cenedlaethol – Dydd Mercher, 30 Tachwedd 2011.

Hoffai Heddlu De Cymru gymryd y cyfle hwn i dawelu meddyliau aelodau’r cyhoedd ynghylch cynlluniau wrth gefn sy’n cael eu rhoi mewn lle wrth baratoi ar gyfer y diwrnod o streicio cenedlaethol arfaethedig.

Rydym yn deall yn iawn fod aelodau’r undeb am ddangos eu cefnogaeth yn ystod y streicio arfaethedig, a rhagwelir y bydd nifer o staff cymorth yr Heddlu yn streicio ar y diwrnod hwn.

Mae systemau cadarn mewn lle i sicrhau y gallwn gynnal y safon sy’n ddisgwyliedig o wasanaeth brys, drwy barhau i ymateb yn effeithlon ac effeithiol i alwadau 999 a materion brys eraill.

Meddai’r Dirprwy Brif Gwnstabl Colette Paul,

“Rydym yn deall yn iawn fod aelodau’r undebau yn dymuno dangos eu cefnogaeth yn ystod y streicio arfaethedig.

Fodd bynnag, ein dyletswydd ni fel gwasanaeth Heddlu, fel yr arfer, yw darparu a chynnal plismona o ansawdd uchel y gall y cyhoedd ddibynnu arno.

Mae diogelwch y cyhoedd yn parhau yn brif flaenoriaeth, ac rydym yn gwneud y cyfan y gallwn i sicrhau ein bod yn lliniaru unrhyw effaith y gall y gweithredu diwydiannol ei hachosi.

Gall hyn olygu y bydd angen i swyddogion yr Heddlu gyflawni tasgau a wneir fel arfer gan staff cymorth yr Heddlu, yn ôl yr angen.

Hoffwn gymryd y cyfle hwn i dawelu meddyliau’r cyhoedd na fydd llawer o effaith ar ein gwasanaethau yn ystod y cyfnod hwn.”

Neighbourhood policing officers have joined forces with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's far-reaching Customer Care service to become a regular feature at Treorchy One4aLL Centre.

The partnership which was launched on September 29th marks the beginning of a twice-weekly police presence giving people access to a wide range of Council and partner services in one place at the One4aLL Centre in Treorchy Library. The One4aLL Centre already provides in-depth help and advice on the majority of Council Benefits and entitlements and, of course, the popular library offers its range of books, DVDs, research and resource materials and dedicated e-teens youth area.

Local people will now have access to different police services as well, and this can only benefit the local community.

Every Monday and Thursday between 11am and 2pm, police staff will be on hand to process things like driving license document production, reports of lost and found property. They’re also able to provide crime prevention advice, listen to people’s community concerns, and address any personal matters with the use of a designated, confidential room.

Rhondda Chief Inspector John Wainwright, said: “This is an example of how the police service is changing to meet today’s demands.

“The one-stop-shop is great for meeting the needs of local people and we are delighted to be part of it.

“It enables us to be much more accessible by establishing a fixed presence in the heart of the community where people’s lives already revolve.

“Neighbourhood Policing is about being accessible and visible to the public, working together with our partners to tackle locally agreed priorities.

“A huge amount of problem-solving work is already going on across Rhondda and I am sure this new facility will allow officers to further engage with our partners and the communities that we all serve.”

Cllr Russell Roberts, Leader, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: "We are pleased to welcome the South Wales Police Neighbourhood Policing Team to our wide range of services at Treorchy One4aLL Centre (and Library).

"This is a great example of how the Council is working with its partners to ensure community-focussed facilities offer a wide range of services that meet the needs of customers, who can simply visit one venue to secure access to a range of information, support and services."

The Council's Director of Customer Care & ICT, Leigh Gripton, said "This pilot project demonstrates collaborative working in action with other public sector partners and it is hoped similar initiatives will be rolled out across other One4aLL Centres across Rhondda Cynon Taf".

For more information about the initiative people can contact PCSO Suzanne Casey on 07805 301 072 or visit South Wales Police website ourbobby.com.

Llwyncrwn Primary School gets a makeover thanks to Big Lottery funding

It has been about a year since the community of Beddau and their ‘eco-sensory grounds project’ got some super news from the Big Lottery Fund, after being awarded a People’s Millions grant of £47,895.

The grant has been used to re-develop the grounds of Llwyncrwn Primary School, and after months of hard work the community have now got an organic allotment, nature and safe water area, reflective zone, picnic area, and playground.

The project was officially opened on Friday 30th September in the glorious Beddau sunshine, with the colourful school yard attracting a bumper crowd. The pupils had been busy decorating the school with flowers, animals, and balloons.

Local PC Joy Nicolls, who helped with the bid (and the construction), said “The project from start to finish has generated so much excitement in the community, and it will provide a lasting resource for everyone to enjoy. It was brilliant to see so many happy faces at the official opening, and being involved in this project is definitely one of my proudest moments as a police officer.”

Local PCSO Gareth Bishop said “The project has brought the entire community together, and really show’s the difference that can be made when people work collectively. The project has been completed to the highest standards, and this reflects the dedication of all the staff and volunteers involved. We are lucky to work in such a great area and are looking forward to seeing the resources being used by all sections of the community.”

Project Lead Kimberley McKenzie said “We are all delighted how the project has worked out, and the grounds are something the community can be so proud of. Our local officers have been a great help, and have made a significant contribution to helping us get a safer, greener, and cleaner outdoor space for the community.”

And the garden is already making a difference, with the organic allotment producing some fantastic and tasty vegetables.      

The grant was originally awarded after the project received a record breaking number of telephone votes on ITV1 Wales. The project received 8,814 votes, which was not only a record for the Wales region but was amongst the highest of all ITV regions.

The People’s Millions is a grants programme run by the Big Lottery Fund, in partnership with ITV. It’s been running since 2005 and to date over £24 million has been awarded to community projects.

For further information please visit www.peoplesmillions.org.uk

BIG THANKS TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT

A man who ignored a PCSOs advice about the use of his off road bike on the Glyncoch estate has had his bike seized.

Twenty-two year old Shane Baggs, himself from the estate, appeared at Pontypridd Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 28th, after he was reported for driving without a license, insurance and an MOT.

He was given 6 points which will be endorsed on any future driving license he may obtain, and ordered to pay £275 in fines.

Shane was reported after he blatantly flouted traffic laws in full view of, and after being spoken to, by PCSO Hywel Lewis. Shane denied being the rider at the time, but PCSO Lewis recognised Shane through an open faced helmet which he wore as he rode past him time and time again – he was also wearing the same clothes.

The bike, valued at approximately £1000, was seized from a relative’s home on the estate and will now be destroyed.

PCSO Hywel Lewis said: “Residents raised illegal off-roading as a priority at their PACT meeting and we took decisive action.

“Clearly Shane felt invincible on his bike, and free to do what he wanted regardless of his impact on the community.

“It was important we saw this through, and I hope that the result at court will be a valuable lesson to him, but also to anyone else who think they will get away with it.”

Anyone who has information about the identity of people driving illegally and using bikes anti-socially should contact 101 or Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.

A neighbourhood policing team from South Wales has opened a gateway to the police service for many deaf people across the region.

The Taff neighbourhood policing team is running a PACT meeting for deaf people to give them the opportunity to discuss issues with an officer.

The event - which is held in the Glamorgan Mission to the Deaf, on Lanpark Road, Pontypridd - runs the same way as any other PACT meeting, but a sign language expert funded by the force attends as an interpreter.

For many, the event gives them their first chance to discuss things which concern them, or to get crime prevention advice.

Since the event was launched earlier this year in March, it has grown to regularly accommodate more than 30 people, some even travelling from as far afield as Abergavenny and Monmouth.

Front Line Support Officer Catherine Moore, who helps co-ordinate the event, said:

“The event plays a critical role for deaf people in the area. We have found that many of those who attend have little or no engagement with their local officer, so we are very happy to open the doors to the service in this way.

“We work closely with Gwent Police to ensure issues relevant to people living in their area are acted upon by the relevant neighbourhood policing teams.”

The next event will be held early in October. The public can find details by visiting ourbobby.com.

A special beach-themed Blue Light Disco is being organised in Aberdare to celebrate a new partnership that has enabled the successful events to continue.
South Wales Police and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's ground-breaking E3+ programme, part of the wider Services for Young People provision, have joined forces to secure the future of the discos, which have already provided thousands of young people with a great, safe night out.
To mark the success, the next Blue Light Disco, to be held at the Ynys Sports Centre on Friday, September 2, will not only have a fab beach theme and loads of competitions, but will also include free entrance and free bus travel to and from the venue.
Up to 200 teenagers a month flock to the Aberdare event, which was launched to keep young people off the streets, provide positive social experiences and reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.
The future of the events was in jeopardy due to funding issues, but E3+ recognised the importance and popularity of the discos and stepped in to offer assistance so they could continue.
E3+ forms part of the wider Services for Young People provision delivered by the Council, offering young people the chance to access a range of extra-curricular activities.
PCSO Bleddyn Jones said: “We were delighted when E3+ announced they would be backing the project.
“It will help ensure anti social behaviour levels in the area do not increase by ensuring that 200 youths will have something to do on a Friday night.
“The beach party was something the youngsters wanted when we asked them. This is being arranged as a thank you for everyone’s continued support and as a gesture we will not be charging the usual £1 entry. The bus home will also be provided free of charge.”
Cllr Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning at the Council, added: “Services for Young People is an exceptional provision that enables our younger residents to access positive social and personal experiences – from extra-curricular fun to personal development, Duke of Edinburgh, Outdoor Education and more.
“E3+ is a key part of this provision and we are pleased to be able to step in and secure the future of events we know mean a lot not only to the young people of Aberdare, but also the wider community.”
Youngsters will be urged to get into the spirit of the occasion. There will be prizes for the best beach outfit on the evening.
Youngsters or parents can find out more about the event and future events by visiting the Special Blue Light Disco facebook fan page which has been set up by PCSO Bleddyn Jones, or by contacting Cwmbach Police Station on 01685 724 314.

Jonathan Haynes, aged 30, was today found guilty of raping an 18 year old female by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.

The offence occurred in a halls of residence at the University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, on Saturday, September 26^th back in 2009.

He will be sentenced on September 8^th 2011.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Dave Runnalls said:

“Today, Jonathan Haynes has been convicted of an appalling sexual assault on an innocent young woman.

“ That Freshers’ Week at the University of Glamorgan, she was embarking on an exciting chapter in her life and was looking forward to a new education in a new place.

“ Haynes took all this and more away from her.

“ This was a very serious offence, and we devoted unprecedented resources to this investigation which ran for a long time.

“ This type of crime is very rare in South Wales, so the incident and the subsequent media interest had a massive impact on the student population but also on the wider Pontypridd community.

“ Six months into our investigation, Haynes appeared on Wiltshire Police’s radar which was a critical turning point.

“ Once we became aware of Jonathan Haynes ’ part in the incidents in England, and investigated his connection to the University through a former partner, our officers were able to link him to the attack in South Wales.

“ Excellent co-operation and support from Wiltshire officers played a pivotal role and for that I would like to thank DCI Hamlin and his team.

“ I hope the verdict will help the victim and her family move on from what has been a very difficult time.

“I also hope this verdict gives others the confidence they need in the police service to come forward to report such incidents.”