News

Dry fire hydrants challenging fire fighters at recycling centre fire

Published

4 years ago

August 14, 2022

FIRE crews from as far as way as Whitland, Kidwelly, and Tumble in Carmarthenshire tackling a large blaze at a recycling centre in Waterston, but a lack of water in on site fire hydrants is making their job harder.

A large plume of thick black smoke can be seen by them into the air from many miles away, and appears to have started at TBS Skip Hire & Recycling.

There are at least 15 firefighting appliances at the scene with more arriving all the time.

Aerial platform and water bowser have also been dispatched to the scene.

The fire could take days to extinguish, it has been announced (Image MAWWFRS)

There are approximately 100 firefighters tackling the blaze, in extremely hot weather conditions.

Ambipar Response and staff from TBS are providing rescuers bottles of water as they tackle the incident.

The police are also in attendance providing traffic control from the main road from Black Bridge to Waterston which has now been shut to all traffic at Venn’s Yard.

The recycling centre blaze from a distance (Pic: Jack Allerton/Herald)

Welsh Water are also at the scene, assisting firefighters to find a nearby water source. They are currently surveying the main road.

Fire hydrants in the industrial estate appear to be dry, with fire engines being diverted away from the fire to fill up their internal water tanks.

Farmers with a water tankers trailers towed by tractors have dropped what they are doing and turned up at the scene to help supply water to the fire brigade.

Fire officer Criag Thomas from the Mid And West Wales Fire And Rescue Service has thanked all the crews who helped to try tackle the blaze in Milford Haven as well as the local businesses.

“Tremendous work everyone!” he said.

Aerial platform from Haverfordwest fire station tackling blaze (Image MAWWFRS)

TBS Skip Hire & Recycling, who describe themselves as a ‘close family business’ announced the sad passing of owner Phillip Thomas on August 10. Described by many as an awesome guy and true gentleman, hundreds took to social media to leave their thoughts, and to pay their respects.

Farmers were praised on social media for helping with the fire fight (Image: Facebook)

MORE TO FOLLOW ON THIS UPDATING STORY

Editor's Note: Phil Thomas was the Herald's biggest supporter and is the only person to have taken out a full page advertisement in every one of the 471 editions of The Pembrokeshire Herald over the last nine years. As a good friend to us all, it was extremely sad to see the fire at the yard. Of course we are obliged to report this incident, but we would also like to extend our sincere sympathy to his family and friends.

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

44 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has announced a significant expansion of its Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams (NPPT), with more officers being deployed to frontline roles where demand is greatest.

From Monday (Mar 16), teams across the force area have been strengthened, with a renewed focus on tackling antisocial behaviour and preventing crime at its source.

The force says the move is aimed at reducing repeat demand by addressing the root causes of offending, rather than simply responding to incidents.

To achieve this, a number of officers have been redeployed from central departments back into frontline policing, while new posts are also being created to bolster capacity.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies, head of uniform policing, said: “These changes are about increasing frontline visibility and ensuring we have the right resources in the right places.

“They form part of a wider programme of improvements across the force to enhance effectiveness and efficiency, while also supporting the wellbeing of our officers and staff.

“This is positive news for our communities, who will benefit from stronger neighbourhood teams focused on local priorities and proactive policing.”

The expansion has been made possible through Home Office funding under the Neighbourhood Guarantee scheme, which is designed to strengthen community safety and crime prevention.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been allocated £1.4 million for 2025/26, enabling the recruitment of police staff and freeing up officers previously in support roles to return to operational duties.

As a result, four sergeants and 29 police officers have now been reassigned to neighbourhood teams across the force.

Each NPPT area will also have a named officer, with full team details available via the ‘Your Area’ section of the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

The force has also secured early access to 2026/27 Neighbourhood Guarantee funding, which will see a further 12 officers recruited between April and the autumn—adding to overall officer numbers in the region.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Neighbourhood policing is about more than numbers—it’s about relationships.

“Greater visibility helps build trust, strengthens community ties, and reassures the public that policing is present, responsive, and committed to keeping people safe.

“I remain committed to improving police visibility across our communities, and these additional officers will help turn that ambition into reality.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

49 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.