POLICE and Crime Commissioner Jane Mudd has allocated funding towards a new underwater drone that will help the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) search technically demanding stretches of water.

 SARA is crewed entirely by volunteers and regularly assists Gwent Police with missing person searches and incidents along the Severn Estuary.



The specialist drone will support crews in searching difficult underwater environments more quickly and safely, while reducing the risks faced by volunteers during challenging operations.

The funding reflects the Police and Crime Commissioner’s commitment to supporting partners who play a vital role in protecting communities and assisting emergency services across Gwent.



Jane Mudd said, “SARA provides a vital service to the people of Gwent and beyond, and delivers valuable assistance to Gwent Police on a regular basis.

“I am pleased to contribute towards this new drone, which will help keep volunteers safe while they carry out this important work.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner has also lent her support to the charity Missing People to deliver workshops for children and young people in Gwent who have been identified as being at heightened risk of exploitation.

The sessions aim to equip children aged 13 to 16 with the knowledge and skills to recognise different forms of exploitation, including grooming, and understand how to access help and support.

The charity has worked closely with Gwent Police and Gwent’s pupil referral units to identify children who may benefit from the sessions. By helping young people recognise potential risks and know where to turn for support, Missing People aims to reduce the number of children who go missing each year in the UK.

Jane Mudd said, “It is important that we recognise that some children involved in crime or antisocial behaviour may also be among those most vulnerable to exploitation by others.

“These workshops help children to understand what exploitation can look like, recognise when something may not be right, and know that support is available. By giving young people the confidence to seek help, we hope to reduce the number of children who go missing from our communities and help prevent further harm.”