News

Fire service ‘in disarray’

Published

12 years ago

November 20, 2013

CONCERNS have arisen this week over potential safety risks posed to Pembrokeshire’s refineries, as the Fire and Rescue Service for Mid and West Wales announced a possible budget cut of up to £4 million.

The proposed cut backs could mean that every full time firefighter employed at Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven and Ammanford fire stations would be replaced by part-time staff, sparking fears of compromised safety, of which the Fire Brigades Union secretary for Mid and West Wales, Barry Davies, said:

“These cuts will put the lives of the public and firefighters at risk. The Welsh Government must recognise fire services now face a severe funding crisis.”

Paul Miller, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Preseli, said of the crisis: “Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock Fire Stations have already been downgraded more than once.

“Last week’s proposal from the Fire Authority will mean we have no whole time firefighters on station in Milford Haven. Coupled with the same in Pembroke Dock, that’s two LNG terminals, two oil refineries and one, soon to be two, power stations, whose nearest Fire Station will be home to zero full time fire-fighters.

“People in and around Milford Haven will be put at risk and all to maintain less critical services elsewhere. The Tory and Plaid members who run the Fire Authority, plan to make savings in Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock (whatever the risk) to ensure their areas are protected.”

Mid and West AM, Simon Thomas of Plaid Cymru, said in response to Mr Miller: “I am obviously concerned about the proposals. I’ve already called on the Labour Minister to intervene, but she has refused to do so. I will be making strong representations to the Fire Authority to ensure Pembrokeshire is protected from cuts imposed on the authority by the Labour Welsh Government.

“The Labour candidate forgets that it his own party which is responsible for any changes in the fire service locally. I will be also urging the Fire Authority for their assurances that public safety will be met at all times.”

Cllr David Howlett, Leader of the Conservative Group on the County Council, had this to say in response to Mr Miller’s statement: “With Milford Haven being the energy capital of the United Kingdom it is vital that we have a fire service that is able to cope with any incidents that may occur. I am amazed at the comments of Cllr Miller who claims ‘Tory and Plaid members who run the Fire Authority’. In fact, Labour have 11 members on the fire authority compared with four from Plaid Cymru and only one Conservative.”

Delyth Evans, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, added to her colleague’s concerns, saying: “To remove full fire response cover from Pembroke Dock would expose this community to unnecessary risks. Labour will be launching a campaign this week to ensure that we are not put at risk by the worst kind of political decision making by the fire authority.”

William Powell AM, Liberal Democrat for Mid and West Wales, commented: “I am aware that the proposals are causing considerable anxiety. Clearly, there are essential services across the area which need fire and rescue coverage. There are now genuine questions over whether that will be possible should the proposed reconfigurations take place.”

However, Wynne Evans, councillor for Narberth Ward and Chairman of the Resources Management Committee, said: “We have some very difficult decisions to make. This will have implications across all six local authority areas. All that has been discussed are options, not decisions.”

The Herald contacted LNG and Valero to enquire as to what safety implications any reduction in service may have, but both companies declined to comment.

However, a spokesperson for the Murco refinery explained that, along with the other refineries, they had their own equipment and fire crews which made them self-contained operations.

Only this week the Fire Brigade Union held a one-day strike across the country. Haverfordwest firefighter and watch manager, Chris Collins, speaking on behalf of FBU members, said: “The strike is an ongoing dispute. The Government have increased our pensions contributions from 11% to 14.2% of our salary. The Government wants us to work beyond the age of 55 and, with the job and its physicality, we do not think that is a feasible way to go. The FBU have said we are going for a second ballot, but we are trying to get an agreement beforehand.”

On the issue of the potential cuts in services, Mr Collins added: “One of the initial proposals to the Fire Authority was to save £4 million over two years. The only way to do this is the downgrading of stations or maybe redundancies. A retained only station would mean that personel would be alerted from their home address, creating a delayed response.”

Milford Haven Fire station watch manager, Andy Syme, added to Mr Collins’ comments: “Firefighting is a physiologically strenuous job which necessitates firefighters retiring earlier than the majority of the workforce. Milford firefighters realise the concerns of the public and we urge them to remain vigilant and to protect their families during this difficult time. But we hope that they can find some degree of empathy towards our current situation.”

Ministry of Defence

Welsh pride HMS Dragon sails to shield Cyprus base

Published

5 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WALES’ Red Dragon is heading into a potential flashpoint in the eastern Mediterranean.

The HMS Dragon has been deployed by the Royal Navy to waters around Cyprus to strengthen air defences following a drone strike on the British base at RAF Akrotiri.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the move as part of a wider effort to protect British personnel and assets in the region amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

Advanced air defence role

HMS Dragon is one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 destroyers — regarded as among the most capable air defence warships in the world.

Equipped with the Sea Viper missile system and advanced radar, the vessel is designed to:

Track and intercept hostile aircraft
Destroy incoming missiles
Counter drone threats
Provide protective cover for allied forces

The deployment is understood to be focused on safeguarding UK interests, including RAF Akrotiri, one of Britain’s two Sovereign Base Areas on the island.

A Welsh symbol at sea

Although a UK warship, HMS Dragon carries a strong Welsh identity. Her crest bears the Red Dragon of Wales, and she has longstanding links with Welsh communities.

Commissioned in 2012, she has previously visited Cardiff and is often referred to as having a “Welsh heart” within the fleet.

With tensions escalating across the region, the presence of a Type 45 destroyer signals a serious defensive posture by the UK Government.

What happens next?

Defence analysts say such deployments are intended as both protection and deterrence — ensuring that British bases and personnel are shielded from further drone or missile attacks.

For Wales, the sight of the Red Dragon sailing toward a volatile theatre of operations will be a source of pride — and a reminder that Welsh symbols continue to play a role on the global stage.

Crime

Fraudsters posing as police officers target residents in cash and card scam

Published

5 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Public urged to hang up and verify calls using a different phone

AN INCREASING number of reports have been received of criminals impersonating police officers in an attempt to trick victims into handing over cash or bank cards — either directly or via a courier.

The fraudsters use sophisticated and convincing tactics to gain trust. They may already have basic personal information, such as a victim’s name and address, which can often be easily obtained online, making the call appear legitimate.

Rebecca Williams, Fraud Safeguarding Officer, said: “These criminals are extremely convincing and may even suggest that the victim dials 999 to verify their identity. However, they remain on the line and do not disconnect the call, meaning when the victim attempts to ring the police, they are still speaking to the fraudster.

“We strongly advise anyone who receives a suspicious call to use a different phone — such as a mobile — to verify the caller’s identity, or to contact a trusted friend or family member before taking any action.

“If you have received a call like this, or have been persuaded to send money, please do not feel embarrassed or ashamed. These criminals use coercive and manipulative tactics to exploit trust and create panic.

“Dyfed-Powys Police are here to support you. We are continuing to assist victims who have lost tens of thousands of pounds through this scam.”

Police have issued a clear reminder that officers will never:

• Ask you to withdraw cash, send money or hand over your bank cards
• Send a courier to collect cash, bank cards or valuables from your home
• Contact you unexpectedly and request that you withdraw money as part of an investigation

Anyone who receives a suspicious call is urged to hang up immediately and report it to police or Action Fraud.

Health

Davies and Kurtz attack ‘fantasy hospital’ pledge for west Wales

Published

5 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Senedd Members demand immediate investment in Withybush and Bronglais as election campaign intensifies

SENEDD Members Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz have launched a fresh attack on Welsh Labour’s renewed pledge to deliver a new regional hospital for west Wales, branding the proposal a “desperate pre-election distraction” from mounting pressures on frontline services.

The intervention follows comments from First Minister Eluned Morgan, who indicated that plans for a new hospital serving west Wales would be progressed ahead of the Senedd election in May.

The concept of a new regional hospital has circulated for decades. Potential sites have previously been explored, but the project was effectively paused by Hywel Dda University Health Board, with delivery widely understood to be many years away due to financial and economic constraints.

***Protest in 2015 outside The Senedd (Pic: Herald)***

Davies and Kurtz argue that communities in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion cannot afford to wait while uncertainty continues over services at Withybush Hospital and Bronglais Hospital.

Paul Davies MS said: “People in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion do not need vague long-term aspirations. They need certainty and investment now. Services are being centralised and downgraded while we are told to wait for something that is neither fully planned nor properly funded.

***Withybush Hospital has seen a steady decline in services over the last ten years*** **(Pic: Herald)**

“Instead of chasing headlines, the Welsh Government should focus on safeguarding and strengthening services at Withybush Hospital and Bronglais Hospital. The message from our communities is clear: invest in the hospitals we have so people can access the care they need closer to home.”

The two MSs contend that immediate capital and workforce investment in existing facilities is the only credible way to guarantee patient safety, reduce excessive travel times for rural residents, and provide sustainable healthcare across west Wales.

They are calling on the Welsh Government to publish a fully costed and deliverable plan to protect core services at Withybush and Bronglais, rather than relying on what they describe as “recycled promises that never materialise.”

Samuel Kurtz MS added: “Just ahead of a Senedd election, the First Minister dusts off a decades-old plan and tries to sell it to local voters who can see straight through this empty promise.

“When 10,000 local people sign a petition demanding the Welsh Government intervene on Withybush, and all they can do is issue a press release about a plan that may not happen for another decade, it shows Labour are not serious about supporting the communities of west Wales.”

Welsh Labour launches Senedd campaign with £4bn hospital pledge

Government response

The Welsh Government maintains that long-term transformation of NHS services is necessary to secure sustainable healthcare provision across rural Wales. Ministers have argued that ageing hospital estates, recruitment pressures and increasing demand require modern infrastructure and strategic planning.

Labour has pledged significant capital investment in NHS facilities as part of its wider health strategy and says any future regional hospital would form part of a long-term programme designed to improve clinical resilience and patient outcomes.

The debate over the future configuration of hospital services in west Wales has intensified in recent years, particularly around emergency and specialist provision, with campaigners arguing that protecting local access must remain the priority.

Davies and Kurtz said confidence in local healthcare will continue to erode unless immediate, visible investment is made in frontline services at Withybush and Bronglais.

The Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board have been approached for further comment.