News

Over 400 including Welsh protestors arrested at London ‘Lift The Ban’ protest

Published

11 months ago

August 9, 2025

Haverfordwest holds parallel rally on Gaza child starvation

WELSH protesters were among the 600–700 people who staged a silent protest in Parliament Square, London, on Saturday (Aug 9) as part of the “Lift The Ban” campaign, calling for the UK Government to remove its proscription of the direct action group Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

Participants sat between 1:00pm and 2:00pm holding cardboard signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” Organisers said the action was intended to challenge the ban, which they argue criminalises peaceful protest against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The Metropolitan Police, who had warned in advance that sign-holders risked arrest under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, made over 400 arrests during the event. Officers from across the UK, including from Wales, were deployed to assist. Police had expected the turnout to be in the low hundreds, but numbers far exceeded that.

Haverfordwest protest draws local support

**Protestors in Haverfordwest were highlighting the plight of the children of Gaza (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)**

In Pembrokeshire, around 25 people gathered at 1:00pm at The Old Bridge in Haverfordwest in a demonstration organised by Solidarity with Palestine Pembrokeshire. Participants brought pots and pans to “make some noise” in what organisers described as a protest against the “deliberate starving of children” in Gaza.

Promotional material for the event featured an image of two-year-old Yazan Abu Foul, from Al-Shati Refugee Camp, to highlight the humanitarian crisis. Speakers at the rally repeated calls for an end to the blockade and for world leaders to intervene, describing the situation as “genocide.”

High-profile support in London

Those detained in the capital included former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg, NHS workers, Quakers, and a blind wheelchair user. Public figures present included musician Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, human rights activist Bianca Jagger, environmentalist Jonathon Porritt, and poet Alice Oswald.

Organisers from Defend Our Juries said more mass protests were planned for September. They argue that the ban on Palestine Action breaches international human rights law, pointing to statements from Amnesty International and the UN’s human rights chief.

Government and police response

The Home Office has defended the proscription of Palestine Action, stating that the group’s tactics – which include damaging property at arms factories – meet the criteria for terrorism under UK law. A spokesperson said: “This Government will not tolerate criminal activity disguised as protest. We will continue to protect the public and uphold the law.”

The Metropolitan Police said: “We respect the right to protest, but people must do so within the law. Holding signs in support of a proscribed organisation is a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act, and our officers will take action where necessary.”

Ongoing legal challenge

The ban is due to face a High Court challenge in November, after Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori was granted permission for a full judicial review. If the court rules in the group’s favour, campaigners say those arrested could be entitled to compensation.

Since the ban was introduced earlier this year, hundreds of people across the UK have been arrested for sign-holding protests, with some police forces in other areas opting not to make arrests.

Crime

Carmarthen man admits takeaway burglaries

Published

21 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Phillip Roberts stole cash from USA Chicken and returned the following day with intent to steal

A CARMARTHEN man has admitted a string of burglaries at the same takeaway business on consecutive days.

Phillip Roberts, 44, of Brewery Road, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to three offences connected to USA Chicken on Blue Street.

The court heard that on June 4, Roberts entered the premises as a trespasser and stole a tip jar containing cash. He also admitted a second burglary at the same business on the same date, during which £50 cash was stolen.

A further offence took place on June 5, when Roberts entered USA Chicken as a trespasser with intent to steal.

Magistrates adjourned sentence for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. The report will consider all sentencing options, including possible committal to the Crown Court.

Roberts was granted conditional bail. He must not enter USA Chicken, Blue Street, and must not contact Mustafa Baksi, either directly or indirectly.

He is due to return to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 1 for sentence.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service urges public to ‘choose wisely’ as pressures continue

Published

23 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has issued a fresh appeal to the public following the declaration of a critical incident on Friday (June 26), as exceptionally high demand continues to place pressure on crews across Wales.

In a social media post published today (Saturday, June 27), the Trust warned that hot weather is contributing to a rise in ambulance call-outs, including incidents involving heat-related illness, falls, breathing difficulties and existing medical conditions worsened by the heat.

The message comes less than 24 hours after the service declared a critical incident amid unprecedented demand, with ambulance resources stretched across Wales.

The Trust is urging people to call 999 only for serious or life-threatening emergencies, contact NHS 111 Wales for urgent health advice, and use local pharmacies for minor illnesses and ailments.

It said choosing the right service can help ambulance crews reach the sickest patients more quickly while pressures remain high.

Crime

Six arrested after immigration raids at Florentino’s restaurants

Published

24 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIX people have been arrested following Immigration Enforcement raids at Florentino’s Italian restaurants in Tenby and Carmarthen.

Officers visited the Tenby branch in St Julian’s Street on June 18, where two Romanian nationals were identified as allegedly having no right to work in the UK. Both were arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Tenby operation followed an earlier raid at Florentino’s in Carmarthen in February, where four workers — two Romanian nationals, a Bangladeshi national and a Mongolian national — were also arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Herald previously reported in March that the Carmarthen restaurant had been linked to a major HMRC case, after Claudio Cernat Ltd, formerly trading as Florentino’s on Jacksons Lane, was listed over a £278,000 deliberate tax underpayment and a further £186,000 penalty.

Immigration officials say inquiries are now under way to establish who may be liable for employing the individuals. Employers found to have breached illegal working rules can face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker.

One of the Tenby workers has already returned, while the other is in the process of returning. Of the Carmarthen workers, two have returned, one was placed on immigration bail and another was de-arrested with a warning.

Immigration Enforcement Lead for Wales, Richard Johnson, said: “I want to thank my officers who showed the highest levels of professionalism under challenging circumstances on these operations.

“Immigration Enforcement teams in Wales continue to work round the clock to ensure businesses play by the rules and those with no right to be in the UK are tracked down and returned at the earliest opportunity.”

The Home Office says illegal working enforcement has increased significantly since July 2024, with raids and arrests rising across the UK and Wales.

No finding has yet been made against the restaurant operators in relation to the latest arrests.

Florentino’s has been approached for comment.