A Pembrokeshire County Councillor has bemoaned the lack of a police response to an incident where private land between New Hedges and Tenby was invaded by a group of travellers for four days - who as well as disregarding requests to leave, went onto allegedly commit a series of criminal and antisocial acts in the locality.

Cllr Rhys Jordan, who represents the wards of St Mary Out Liberty (New Hedges) and St Florence on Pembrokeshire County Council, has now written to Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn to raise his concerns and express his ‘serious disappointment’ regarding the response to the matter by police, highlighting the apparent ‘lack of support provided’ to the communities he represents.

This incident opens up the broader debate, if residents in the community can’t turn to the very service they expect to be there to protect them, at the point they feel vulnerable and ask for help, then what is the purpose of our local police force?

County councillor for the ward, Cllr Rhys Jordan
“What I find particularly disappointing is that, despite numerous reports being made by members of the public and concerns being raised by myself as their elected County Councillor, it took four days to receive a meaningful response from Dyfed-Powys Police, only then to be told that the matter was civil,” said Cllr Rhys Jordan. (Stock image)

“On Monday, August 10, a group of travellers arrived in New Hedges and established an unauthorised encampment on privately owned land. I understand that the occupation of private land is primarily a civil matter and that there are limitations on the powers available to the police in relation to the removal of an encampment,” stated Cllr Jordan.

“However, my concern as the elected County Councillor for the area is not simply about the occupation of the land.

“Despite numerous requests from the landowner for those occupying the site to leave, they remained.

“During the four days that followed, residents and businesses reported a series of alleged criminal and antisocial incidents associated with individuals connected to the encampment.

“These included reports of thefts from local shops and market stalls, joyriding, the use of suspected stolen vehicles, intimidation of vulnerable residents, trespassing, and the unauthorised use of facilities belonging to local businesses.“

Cllr Jordan said that the allegations go ‘far beyond’ what can reasonably be regarded simply as a civil dispute between a landowner and people occupying private land.

“Where theft, vehicle crime, intimidation, trespass, and other potentially criminal behaviour are being reported, the community should be able to expect those reports to be taken seriously and responded to appropriately,” he continued.

“What I find particularly disappointing is that, despite numerous reports being made by members of the public and concerns being raised by myself as their elected County Councillor, it took four days to receive a meaningful response from Dyfed-Powys Police, only then to be told that the matter was civil.

“That response has understandably left many residents feeling ignored, frustrated and unsupported.

“St Mary Out Liberty and St Florence are close-knit communities whose residents generally go about their lives quietly and responsibly. When people who rarely ask anything of the police find themselves sufficiently concerned that they repeatedly reach out for assistance, they deserve to feel that those concerns are being heard and properly assessed.

“As their County Councillor, residents understandably turn to me when they feel that their concerns are not being addressed. It is extremely difficult to reassure vulnerable residents and local businesses when, despite repeated reports and requests for assistance, there appears to have been so little visible police response.”

Cllr Jordan said that the matter raises a wider and more troubling question - is it any wonder that members of the public are losing faith in the very service they expect to be there to protect them when, at the point they feel vulnerable and ask for help, they believe they are being ignored?

Dafydd Llywelyn, Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner
Cllr Rhys Jordan has contacted Dafydd Llywelyn, Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, with his concerns. (Aled Llywelyn)

In his correspondence, Cllr Jordan says that he is seeking clarification on a number of points that the incident has thrown up, as follows:

  • why it took approximately four days for an effective response to the concerns being raised.
  • how the individual reports of alleged theft, vehicle crime, intimidation, trespass, and other incidents were assessed and investigated.
  • why the overall response appears to have focused on the civil nature of the occupation of the land rather than the alleged criminal behaviour being reported alongside it.
  • what guidance is provided to officers when criminal or antisocial behaviour is reported in connection with an unauthorised encampment on private land.
  • what reassurance can now be provided to residents and businesses in New Hedges, and St Florence that they will receive an appropriate and timely response should similar circumstances arise again.

“I want to emphasise that my concern is about the reported conduct and the police response to that conduct, rather than the ethnicity or background of those involved,” Cllr Jordan continued.

“The same standard of policing and protection should apply to everyone, and the communities I represent should reasonably expect alleged criminal behaviour to be dealt with consistently, irrespective of who is alleged to have committed it.

“What requires explanation is the response to the alleged criminal and antisocial behaviour reported alongside the occupation and why residents felt unsupported for a period of four days.

“As the elected County Councillor for St Mary Out Liberty and St Florence, I have a responsibility to raise these concerns on behalf of my residents,” added Cllr Jordan, who has requested a clear explanation as to what went wrong and what steps will be taken to ensure communities receive the level of policing support they should reasonably expect in the future.

CllrJordan’s correspondence has also been sent to Dyfed-Powys Police Sergeant Sarah Smith; Chief Inspector Mark McSweeney; and Pembrokeshire County Council’s public realm manager, Marc Owen.