News
Parents concerned over teenage ‘gangs’ threatening violence
CONCERNED parents of Ysgol Harri Tudur pupils have taken to social media after an incident involving teenagers from Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock required police intervention last week.
Police say that upwards of 30 teenagers were at one known disturbance near the old Cleddau Bridge Hotel on Friday (Jan 11) and were promptly dispersed.
Earlier the same day, police were called to Milford Haven School about a fight involving several pupils, which was filmed and circulated on Facebook. You can read the full report on that here.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “On the evening of Friday, January 11, Dyfed-Powys Police officers attended at old Cleddau Bridge Hotel area in Pembroke Dock after receiving information of a disruption.
“A crowd of around 30 teenagers had gathered. Officers carried out some stop searches, offered words of advice and the group was dispersed.
“No offences were committed and no further police action was required.”
Posting on Facebook, concerned parents have said that their children were brought home by police officers and told not to go near the McDonald’s area of Pembroke Dock for their own safety over the weekend.
One parent claimed that, due to the number of teenagers involved, a riot van was at the scene.
Another parent, talking to us based on the promise of anonymity, said that a ‘gang’ of Milford Haven teenagers had arrived in Pembroke Dock after threats were made on the social media platform Snapchat.
A third parent of one of the boys involved, also talking anonymously, said: “There were threats made on a Snapchat group that 20 Milford boys would be waiting at Pembroke school to ‘stab them’.
“They threatened to stab three separate boys. One Milford boy was spotted outside the school on Friday and then 31 Pembroke Dock boys went to the train station to meet the rest of the gang who were supposedly coming to the Dock on a train.
“The police then took some of the children home for their own safety and some parents were told not to let their children into Pembroke Dock alone over the weekend.
“I have been contacted by parents in Milford Haven about the main boy involved. I have been told he is a ‘menace’ and terrorises kids in Milford but nothing has been done about it.”
The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police about these claims for further comment.
Police have also urged members of the public and students at Milford Haven School not to circulate the video of a fight between pupils at the school that day.
Sgt Andy Williams from Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We are investigating this incident, which appears to have involved a small group of students during a break time. Due to the location, a high number of students were in the area at the time, making it appear that far more students were involved.
“We are aware of a video that is circulating on social media which allegedly identifies those involved in the assault, and recognise the strength of feeling which exists in respect of this.
“Please refrain from sharing the video and from making any comments on the video which could amount to a criminal offence. This is in order to allow for a thorough investigation and to prevent the investigation being undermined.
“We also urge people not to take matters into their own hands or get involved in any unlawful activity which could hamper police enquiries. Where any criminal offences are committed, we will take appropriate action.
“There will be an increased police presence at the school this week to provide reassurance to students, teachers and parents.
“We are working with the school and Pembrokeshire County Council to conduct our investigation. Anyone with information is asked to report it by calling 101.”
News
Dredging work set for Tenby Harbour
TENBY HARBOUR and North Beach users are being asked to be aware of heavy moving machinery from Tuesday March 26 th to Friday 29 th as dredging work is carried out.
Sand will removed from the mouth of the Harbour and deposited at the north end of the beach. The work will not affect vessel movements at the Harbour.
Tenby Harbourmaster Chris Salisbury said a licence for the dredging had been issued after several months of application work.
“We ask that the public please keep clear of the operating area and that dogs are kept on a lead during this time,” Chris added.
Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “I’m grateful to our officers for securing the licence for this work to go ahead. This dredging is essential
for the operation of Tenby Harbour.
“The timing of the work has been governed by the tide and the dates represented the last opportunity for the work to be carried out before the boats are placed back in the
water.”
News
Closure of Tata Steel’s coke ovens sparks political and union backlash
THE recent announcement by Tata Steel to close the coke ovens at its Port Talbot plant in South Wales has ignited a firestorm of political and industrial action, highlighting the deepening crisis within the British steel industry and the challenges facing the transition to green steel.
Jo Stevens MP, the Shadow Welsh Secretary, expressed her concerns over the impact of the closure on the Welsh steel industry and the workers affected. Stevens emphasized the need for assurances about the workers’ immediate future and pledged that a UK Labour government would invest in the steel industry to support the transition to green steel, harnessing the skills, talent, and ambition of Welsh steelworkers.
The closure, slated for Wednesday due to concerns over the ovens’ “operational stability,” has been criticized by regional Senedd Members for South Wales West, Tom Giffard MS, and Dr. Altaf Hussain MS. They accused the Labour Welsh Government of neglecting its support for the Tata Steelworks in Port Talbot, highlighting a lack of financial assistance since 2019 and calling for a change in response to the current developments.
Unite, the UK’s leading union, has been vocal in its opposition to Tata’s decision, describing it as a shock and a “result of years of betrayal.” The union criticized Tata for not disclosing the imminent risk of closure during recent consultations and announced a ballot for industrial action among 1,500 Tata workers. Unite insists there should be no job losses at Port Talbot or Llanwern and that a blast furnace should remain operational.
Peter Hughes, Unite’s regional secretary for Wales, called for Tata to halt its closure plans in anticipation of Labour’s promised £3 billion investment to rejuvenate the UK steel industry. He accused Tata of managing the decline of UK steel while accepting government subsidies, describing the company’s actions as “deliberate industrial vandalism.”
The closure has not only raised concerns about the future of steel production in the UK but also spotlighted the political and economic strategies required to ensure the industry’s survival and transition towards more sustainable practices. The unfolding situation underscores the need for a collaborative approach between the government, industry stakeholders, and the workforce to navigate the complex challenges ahead.
News
Firefighters tackle blaze at block of garages in Monkton
ONE person was injured as a result of a sunday afternoon garage fire in a block of garages in Monkton.
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told The Pembrokeshire Herald said: “At 1.31pm on March 17, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven crews were called to extinguish a fire in an alight central garage and were forced to use two breathing apparatus and two hose reels.
“The firefighters reportedly left the scene at 3.02pm after continuing to dampen the fire and check for fire spread.
“The casualty was treated by ambulance service personnel also in attendance.”
The police confirmed that a garage fire had been dealt with by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Welsh Ambulance Service attended.
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