Intelligence can be the difference between police cracking a crime and not.
When a lack of evidence means officers struggle, some insider knowledge can by key.
And while they conclude active investigations due to lack of evidence in some cases, they promise they'll also look again if genuine new lines of enquiry are received.
The following incidents were all reported by Wales Online over the past couple of years.
A South Wales Police spokesman said: "All incidents have been investigated as far as reasonably possible and no further lines of enquiry to identify the offender/s exist at this time.
"We have concluded all active lines of enquiry pending further investigative opportunities becoming available. If any further lines of enquiry are identified, or any new information comes to light, regarding any of these matters then the incidents will be reinvestigated".
READ MORE: Why people are falling ill but not testing positive for Covid - doctor explains
'Hammer' attack at youngster's birthday party
Doors and cars were smashed with a ‘hammer’ during a birthday party for a 13-year-old.
Youngsters attending the party at Mumbles Cricket Club on November 23, 2019, were left frightened and some suffering panic attacks following the incident, which the cricket club said it believed involved three youths aged between 15 and 17.
South Wales Police said it had no update to the investigation. Crime reference number is 1900432762.
Armed bank robbery
Masked men staged an armed robbery at a bank in Gorseinon - but no-one has so far been brought to justice.
Armed police, a helicopter and a dog unit responded to the incident at the branch of Lloyds in the town’s High Street on November 20, 2018. Crime reference number is 1800440811
Hit and run
A man was seriously injured in a hit and run while he was changing a tyre. The 46-year-old local man who was changing a tyre was hit by a white car that failed to stop on Grand Avenue in Ely. The crash happened at around 5.25pm on Saturday, May 4, 2019. The victim was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, with what were described as serious injuries.
Armed robber at Post Office
There has been no resolution to an armed robbery at a Swansea Post Office two years ago.
Armed police responded to the incident in Neath Road in Plasmarl on January 29, 2020, after a man wearing a balaclava threatened a member of staff, before making off in the direction of Cwm Level Road. Police said he spoke with a local accent. Crime reference number is 2000034429
Pensioner attacked walking his dog
A pensioner was hospitalised after being attacked while out walking his dog.
The 68-year-old was exercising his pet bichon frise near Francos restaurant in Aberavon on July 26, 2018, at around 8.45pm when he was confronted by three men. He suffered a fractured cheekbone, and bruising to his face as well as amnesia. Crime reference number is 1800281812
Fuel thefts
Fuel thieves thought to be using fake number plates were stealing from filling stations in south west Wales in 2019.
Garages in Neath Port Talbot county were amongst those targeted in September, 2019, when it was believed thieves would fill up containers hidden in the back seats and boots of their cars. Crime reference number is 1900346637.
Brick thrown through a pensioner's window
A grandfather with just one leg was covered in glass in his own bed after a brick was thrown through his window.
The incident, on November 12, 2019, happened at the home in Rhodfa’r Brain in Fforestfach which he shared with his wife. The brick missed the grandmother ‘by inches’, leaving her too scared to leave the house. Crime reference number is 1900418033.
Motorcyclist attacked
A motorcyclist was assaulted from behind by two men who tried to drag him from his bike in Morriston. The victim was riding his motorcycle on August 29, 2020, at 6.30pm and was approaching the roundabout on the A48, Clase Road, opposite Castle Bingo, when he was approached from behind by two men. They assaulted him and tried to pull him from his bike then ran off down Pant Y Blawd Road, behind Asda. Crime reference number is 2000315895.
Hit and Run
A pedestrian was taken to hospital by ambulance with a serious leg injury after being hit by a driver who left the scene.
The 28-year-old man was struck by a vehicle on Friday, August 31, at 11pm in Ffynone Road. Crime reference number is 1800332566
Arson
Fire crews were called to Caerau Progressive Club, also known as the Middle Club, in Maesteg on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 after reports of a fire. Extensive damage was caused to the derelict building but no-one was injured. The building has been empty since 2019 when £350,000 worth of cannabis was found growing there.
South Wales Police say a 23-year-old man voluntarily attended a police station, but to date nobody has been charged with the offence. Crime reference number is 237915.
Vandalism of historic site
Cefn Cribwr Ironworks in Bridgend was vandalised twice in one month in 2020. In October, someone cut the lock on the front gate of the monument and damaged the same wall, and the following month vandals damaged a wall inside the charging house of the ironworks, also known as the Bedford Ironworks. Crime reference number is 412366.
Swans killed
Two swans were shot near Asda in Aberdare. The two cygnets were discovered left in water near the store on Cae Alaw Goch.
Get stories like this straight to your inbox with our newsletters.
