A PEMBROKESHIRE school and the council are providing reassurance after parents raised fears following an announcement that a Sikh pupil would be allowed to wear a ceremonial dagger for religious reasons.

An email sent to parents from the school’s headteacher said: “We have recently welcomed a Sikh family to our school community.

“As part of their faith, practising Amrhitrdhari Sikhs, over the age of 14, are required to wear certain symbolic items, one of which is the kirpan. In this case, the learner is wearing a small, sheathed ceremonial kirpan (that is secured and cannot be unsheathed). It is worn purely as a religious symbol and not as a functional item.

“We have taken appropriate steps to ensure that this is managed safely and in accordance with our safeguarding responsibilities, the laws of the United Kingdom, and our commitment to respecting the religious beliefs of all learners.

“We will continue to monitor this sensitively and appropriately.”

The kirpan is a mandatory article of faith worn by initiated (Amritdhari) Khalsa Sikhs, representing a commitment to spirituality, justice, and defending the innocent. Often a small steel or iron blade, it is one of the five Ks worn at all times by Sikhs.

It has been described as not a weapon of violence but a ‘weapon of grace,’ a symbol of courage, self-defence, and the duty to protect the weak and uphold justice.

Concerns have been raised by parents on social media, with one saying her daughter was made to take off her false nails she had got done for her birthday as the school classed them as “a dangerous weapon,” saying she refused and got sent home.

Another said: “Allowing that in a school? They planning on having a copper follow them everywhere every school day? Surely they cannot walk around with a blade in school, religious or not surely that’s not okay! I have absolutely no issue with any religion at all but that is dangerous for people, they could hurt someone whether accidental or intentional.”

The school’s uniform policy stresses: “Sikhism requires that a baptised Sikh should carry a comb (Khanga); steel bracelets (Kara) and a short sword or dagger (Kirpan). These additions to the jewellery / accessory rules are permitted, but any kirpan must be ceremonial: that is, safe and incapable of being used as a weapon.”

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman said: “The council is aware of the issue and provided guidance and advice to [the school].

“The school will follow their safeguarding process as outlined in the letter to parents and the council is satisfied that appropriate measures are in place at the school.”

RESIDENTS forced to evacuate their homes following a major fire in Kidwelly have now been allowed to return, as emergency services confirm the scene has been stood down.

The blaze broke out at a property on Lady Street in the early hours of Tuesday (March 24), with emergency services called at around 4:20am. Several neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters tackled the incident and assessed the safety of surrounding buildings.

In the latest update, Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers have now left the scene and displaced residents were able to return to their properties on Thursday evening (March 26), following work to make the affected building safe.

The incident caused significant disruption in the town, with Lady Street remaining closed while further work is carried out to ensure the safety of the highway and surrounding structures.

Emergency services, including Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, were on the scene for several hours during the initial response. Crews were understood to have dealt with a serious property fire, prompting a large-scale emergency operation in the centre of the town.

While the immediate danger has now passed, authorities have confirmed that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses or anyone with relevant information to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage from the area between 11:00pm on Monday (March 23) and 4:00am on Tuesday (March 24).

Anyone with information is urged to contact police quoting reference 027 of 24/3, either via 101, online, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Authorities thanked residents and the wider community for their patience during the incident, which saw homes evacuated and roads closed while emergency services carried out their work.

Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

FIREFIGHTERS from across west Wales took part in a large-scale training exercise designed to sharpen operational skills and strengthen teamwork.

Crews from the Western Division of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the development day at Earlswood Training Centre on Sunday (March 22).

Personnel travelled from stations including Carmarthen, Tumble, Newcastle Emlyn, Milford Haven, Narberth and Pontyates to take part in the exercise.

Realistic scenarios

Firefighters were put through a series of realistic scenarios designed to reflect incidents they may face on duty.

These included house fires with people reported inside, kitchen fires, and multi-vehicle road traffic collisions. Crews also carried out specialist line rescue exercises as part of the day.

Support staff played the roles of casualties and members of the public, adding to the realism and allowing firefighters to test their responses in lifelike conditions.

Large-scale finale

The training culminated in a complex car fire scenario involving a vehicle inside a garage attached to a property, with reports of people trapped.

Teams worked together as they would at a real incident, tackling the fire while carrying out rescues within the building.

Building capability

The exercise was described as a success, helping to build operational confidence and improve coordination between different stations.

It also provided an opportunity for crews to share knowledge and specialist skills, strengthening the overall capability of the service.

The training forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure firefighters remain prepared to respond to a wide range of emergencies across the region.