News

Concerns mount over rising violence in Welsh schools

Published

9 months ago

February 11, 2025

VIOLENCE in Welsh schools has reached a deeply disturbing level, according to Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, who raised the issue during First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) in the Senedd today. His comments come in the wake of the recent conviction of a teenage girl for a stabbing attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Ammanford, as well as a serious lockdown incident at Ysgol Harri Tudur in Pembroke Dock, further highlighting the increasing threats facing students and teachers across Wales.

Mr. Millar expressed grave concerns about reports of school lockdowns, weapons being brought onto school premises, and a surge in assaults on teachers. He was particularly critical of the Welsh Government’s changes to exclusion reporting guidelines, which no longer require the possession of a weapon to be recorded as a reason for exclusion.

***Police at Ysgol Dyffryn Ammanford following attack (Image: BBC)***

Teacher recruitment in crisis

In addition to growing safety fears, Mr. Millar pointed to the mounting teacher recruitment crisis, warning that rising violence is discouraging people from entering the profession. Figures show that the number of teachers registered with the General Teaching Council has dropped by over 20%, with last year seeing the highest number of resignations in over a decade.

Call for urgent action

Following the FMQs session, Mr. Millar called for immediate action to address the escalating crisis: “The rise in violence in our schools is deeply disturbing. No teacher or pupil should feel unsafe, yet with reports of weapons being brought into classrooms and teachers facing abuse and assault, it is clear that more must be done.”

He criticised the Welsh Labour Government’s stance on school exclusions, arguing that softening policies sends the wrong message:

“Rather than tightening policies to protect teachers and students, the Welsh Labour Government has weakened exclusion guidance. There must be a hard and fast rule that carrying a weapon into school results in exclusion, full stop.”

Mr. Millar also blamed the Labour Government’s inaction for exacerbating the teacher retention crisis:

“Under Labour’s watch, school violence is up, teacher numbers are down, and educational outcomes are suffering. It’s time for the Welsh Government to take responsibility and deliver the safe, high-performing schools our children and teachers deserve.”

With concerns mounting, pressure is growing for the Welsh Government to implement stronger measures to ensure the safety of both students and teachers in schools across the country.

Ministry of Defence

Castlemartin range set for heavy activity as winter live-fire exercise begins

Published

1 hour ago

November 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Army warns of late-night firing and increased traffic

CASTLEMARTIN Training Area will be extremely busy over the next few weeks as the Army begins a major live-fire exercise running from now until to 5 December.

The winter training block will see troops carrying out critical preparation ahead of future deployments, with extensive armoured manoeuvres and both daytime and night-time firing.

Extended firing hours

Live firing will take place between the following times:

Monday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Tuesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Wednesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm

There will be no live firing at weekends, although military vehicles will still be moving around the area.

Residents are being reminded that these times are the earliest and latest possible firing windows. Not every day will start or finish at the maximum hours listed.

Traffic expected on rural roads

The Army says there will be increased vehicle movements on local roads—particularly in Angle, Castlemartin and the Freshwater West area—in the week leading up to the exercise and throughout the training period.

A spokesperson said the support of local people is appreciated: “These exercises are essential for maintaining readiness and ensuring our troops are fully trained for any future operational requirement.”

Crime

Two Milford Haven men sent to Crown Court on GBH charges

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

The incident stems from a violent incident outside The Vibe public house, Milford Haven involving three men – a woman was also wounded in the incident

TWO Milford Haven men have been sent to Swansea Crown Court charged with section 18 wounding after an alleged incident in the town on November 15.

David McCallum, 41, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates court on Monday (Nov 17). He is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding a woman in Milford Haven with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

McCallum also faces a second section 18 charge alleging that, on the same date in Milford Haven, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded a man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, with the prosecution conducted by Nia James.

On Tuesday (Nov 18), Nathan Abbott, 31, also of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court.

Abbott is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding a man in Milford Haven on November 15 with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

He was represented by Mike Kelleher, of Welch & Co.

Abbott also gave no plea, and his case was likewise sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Both McCallum and Abbott were remanded on conditional bail.

McCallum’s bail conditions include a curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, to be electronically monitored, not to contact directly or indirectly witnesses, and not to enter any public house, licensed club or off-licence.

Abbott’s bail conditions include living and sleeping each night at his home address , not to contact witnesses directly or indirectly, and not to enter licensed premises.

Both men must appear for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing at Swansea Crown Court on December 19, 2025, at 9:00am.

No pre-sentence reports were ordered and no indication was given regarding any victim personal statements at this stage.

Crime

Aberystwyth man remanded after admitting cocaine supply

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has been remanded in custody after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply and having £7,000 in criminal cash.

Luke Hutton, 25, of Corporation Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17) for his first hearing. The case was heard by a bench of Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. He was represented by Jessica Hill and Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

Hutton pleaded guilty to two offences arising from a police incident at Yr Hafan, Princess Street, Aberystwyth, on November 14.

The first charge was possessing £7,000 in criminal property, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The second was possessing a quantity of cocaine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply.

Magistrates were told that Hutton indicated guilty pleas to both matters on the day of his appearance.

Because of the seriousness of the charges, the bench committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under Section 14 of the Sentencing Act 2020. A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

Magistrates refused bail, citing the likelihood of further offending, the seriousness of the offences and the likely custodial sentence. Hutton was remanded into custody.

He will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on December 1, 2025, at 9:00am, for a committal for sentence hearing, listed for 30 minutes.