News

Sea swimming fears grow amid sewage scandal and political pressure

Published

11 months ago

August 4, 2025

NEW data reveals that almost half of people in Britain say they would never swim in the sea during the summer — the news comes amid growing anger over sewage pollution, including on Pembrokeshire’s beaches.

A new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats found that 44% of people would not swim in the sea, up six percentage points in just two years. This comes despite the UK Government’s pledge to halve sewage spills by 2030.

The survey also revealed little public faith in that target. Fewer than one in five (18%) said they would be more likely to swim if sewage spills were halved, while 19% said they would be less likely. Nearly half (45%) said they still would not swim even if the target was met.

Almost three in ten (29%) of those who currently swim in the sea during summer now say they have stopped altogether because of sewage dumping — up from 23% in 2023.

Protests in Pembrokeshire

In May, around 200 people joined a “Paddle Out” protest at Broad Haven, organised by Surfers Against Sewage, to highlight repeated sewage discharges and demand urgent action from Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water. Campaigners warned that pollution threatens public health and the tourism economy.

Welsh Water has previously admitted to sewage discharges into Pembrokeshire waters, but says these are legal storm overflow releases during heavy rainfall to prevent flooding. The company says it is investing millions in infrastructure to reduce the need for overflows.

Local concerns
Some Pembrokeshire residents say their confidence in the safety of local waters has been badly shaken. Last year, Tenby mother Jayne Etherington said her daughter became seriously ill with E. coli after swimming at Amroth, warning that people “can’t swim safely” without checking pollution alerts.

On social media, beachgoers have voiced anger at the number of Pembrokeshire bathing spots affected by sewage warnings, with one commenting that it covers “basically the entire coast.”

Political voices
Mid & South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell has repeatedly pressed Welsh Water over its environmental record and executive pay while sewage discharges continue. He has highlighted figures showing the equivalent of 17 tanker-loads of sewage a day being released into a protected conservation area in Haverfordwest as “simply unacceptable.”

Tufnell has chaired public meetings on river and coastal water quality, worked with local environmental groups such as The Cleddau Project, and called for tougher regulation and enforcement. He regularly checks water-quality monitoring data for Pembrokeshire’s beaches and has raised concerns over conditions in Newport and Fishguard.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, Sandra Jervis, has also made water quality a campaign priority. She says both the UK and Welsh Governments have failed to address the sewage scandal and is calling for a ban on executive bonuses at water companies, higher fines for polluters, and stronger regulatory powers.

Welsh Water response
Welsh Water says it is committed to cutting sewage spills by investing in upgrades, better monitoring, and nature-based solutions. It points to Natural Resources Wales data showing most Pembrokeshire bathing waters rated “good” or “excellent” last season.

The company says it operates within environmental permits and that meeting the 2030 target will require continued cooperation between water companies, governments, regulators and communities.

Protecting Pembrokeshire’s coastline
While campaigners, politicians and residents may disagree on the pace of change, there is broad agreement that Pembrokeshire’s coastline is central to its identity, economy and quality of life. The question now is not whether action is needed — but how quickly it can be delivered.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Candidate for Ceredigion Penfro (Ceredigion & Pembrokshire) Sandra Jervis said: “This coastline crisis threatens to wreck Welsh summers, with people afraid of swimming in the sea due to rampant sewage dumping. These polluting firms have been let off the hook at every turn, and it is our local environments and people’s summer holidays that are suffering the consequences.

“In communities like mine, the sewage crisis poses a serious risk not only to wildlife and human health, but also to our thriving tourism industry.

“Both the UK and Welsh Governments have failed to get to grips with this crisis, and the public expect more than a job half done.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will be running on a platform to clean up our waterways for good at next year’s Senedd elections. That means a full ban on water company executive bonuses, higher and more persistent fines for breaches and for a strong regulatory body that actually enforces the rules.”

***Sandra Jervis testing coastal waters: She joined campaigners in checking for signs of pollution, as fears grow over the impact of sewage discharges on Welsh beaches*** (Image: Supplied)

Community

Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home

Published

9 minutes ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A UNIQUE exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month.

The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.

The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.

The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.

Families are particularly welcome, with guided family art tours available by advance booking.

The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest.

Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email [email protected].

The VC Gallery said it is looking forward to welcoming visitors as it commemorates Armed Forces Day while celebrating the power of art, heritage and community to bring people together.

Crime

Retired vicar jailed after child images found on laptop

Published

3 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

Former Powys clergyman claimed he had “nothing else to do” when police discovered prohibited material during unannounced visit

A RETIRED vicar has been jailed after police discovered prohibited images of children on his laptop during an unannounced visit to his home.

Andrew Robinson, 77, of Talybont-on-Usk near Brecon, was already subject to strict monitoring after admitting child image offences in 2025.

The former clergyman had previously received a suspended prison sentence, was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order following his conviction for possessing indecent images of children.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police’s offender management unit carried out a surprise compliance visit to Robinson’s home on June 9, 2026, as part of routine checks on registered sex offenders.

During the visit, officers found an open laptop displaying animated sexual images involving children.

When challenged by officers, Robinson claimed he did not believe the material was illegal. Following his arrest, he reportedly told officers he had been viewing the images because he had “nothing else to do”.

Robinson was charged with possessing a prohibited image of a child and with breaching the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Appearing before the courts the following day, he admitted both offences.

The breach activated the suspended prison sentence previously imposed on him. Robinson was jailed for a total of 12 months and 12 weeks and ordered to pay £187.

Detective Sergeant Paula Rutherford said the case demonstrated the importance of monitoring convicted sex offenders in the community.

She said: “The law is clear. Possessing this type of material is illegal, deeply concerning and contributes to the wider harm caused by child sexual exploitation.

“Some people wrongly believe there are no victims when animated images are involved, but viewing such material helps sustain demand for abusive content and can form part of a pathway towards more serious offending.

“The safeguarding of children and the protection of the public remain at the heart of our work. This sentence reflects the seriousness of Robinson’s actions and the effectiveness of proactive offender management.”

Robinson remains subject to notification requirements under sex offender legislation following his release from custody.

Crime

Drug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000

Published

17 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE drug trafficker jailed after a major cocaine and cannabis seizure has been ordered to repay more than £33,000.

Dean Evans, 44, returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing after prosecutors sought to recover money made through his offending.

The court heard it had been agreed that Evans benefited from criminal conduct by £496,533.94. However, his available assets were calculated at £33,337.37.

Judge Catherine Richards made a confiscation order for that amount and gave Evans three months to pay. If he fails to do so, he faces a further year in prison.

Evans, of St Clements Park, Freystrop, is already serving an eight-year sentence after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

He was caught after Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit stopped his Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, at around 10:25am on January 2.

Officers searched the vehicle after Evans admitted they would find “stuff” inside.

They discovered around one kilogram of cocaine in a cardboard box in the boot, together with 5.4 kilograms of cannabis in a black bin bag. The cannabis had been split into ten vacuum-sealed bags.

Swansea Crown Court was previously told the drugs had a combined potential street value of up to £185,000, made up of around £125,000 of cocaine and cannabis worth up to £60,000.

A mobile phone seized from Evans revealed what prosecutors described as a “dealer’s list”, with dozens of names and sums believed to be owed. Messages also showed Evans directing dealers below him in the supply chain.

At the original sentencing hearing, the court was told Evans had 23 previous convictions for 62 offences, including rape and robbery. His previous drug matters had related only to possession.

Sarah John, mitigating, said he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had stayed out of trouble for a “fairly lengthy period”, with his last conviction in 2016.

Jailing Evans for eight years, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “You are clearly a man with few criminal boundaries.

“You ensnared users and low-level drug dealers into debt, dragging them into a vicious circle of criminality.”

After sentencing, DC Phill Jones, of Pembrokeshire’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said illegal drugs brought misery to local communities and would not be tolerated.

He said: “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to any others who are tempted into the illegal drugs trade. You will get caught and you will go to prison.”

Photo caption: Drugs seized:

Dean Evans was caught with cocaine and cannabis worth up to £185,000 in his car (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).