News

Castle Pill Boat Club allegations prompt Port response

Published

7 months ago

August 13, 2025

THE PORT of Milford Haven has responded to allegations of mismanagement at Castle Pill Boat Club, stressing that it has no authority to intervene in internal club matters.

In recent weeks, concerns have been raised by some members of Castle Pill Boat Club over financial transparency, mooring fee payments, and the general condition of the compound, where several boats appear to have been left unused for extended periods and rubbish has accumulated around the site.

Photos seen by The Pembrokeshire Herald show discarded ropes, damaged equipment, and overgrown weeds surrounding vessels and trailers. Critics of the current committee say the club is being “run down” and claim that governance and record-keeping have fallen short of expected standards.

The Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven, Mike Ryan, told The Herald:
“Castle Pill is one of twelve designated ‘Voluntary Control Areas’. A Voluntary Controlled Area (VCA) within the Port of Milford Haven refers to a mooring zone where the management of moorings is delegated by Milford Haven Port Authority to local community organisations, known as Voluntary Control Bodies (VCBs). These VCBs, often local yacht or boat clubs, oversee the administration of moorings on behalf of the Port and The Crown Estate. They are responsible for tasks such as processing mooring applications, maintaining records of mooring holders and their vessels, and ensuring adherence to licensing requirements. The day-to-day management is conducted by the Voluntary Control Officer (VCO) (or Club’s mooring officer) who liaises directly with the Port.

“The Port of Milford Haven has no authority to intervene in any internal Club matters and any allegations of a criminal nature should be reported to Dyfed Powys Police.”

Mooring and Crown Estate fees

Mr Ryan explained that within a VCA, mooring licence fees and Crown Estate charges are collected by the club’s own mooring officer:
“Fees for mooring licences within a VCA are taken by the Voluntary Control Officer for that VCA. For all other moorings, the Port collects relevant fees. If a mooring holder is moored within a Voluntary Controlled Area and wishes to pay fees direct to the Port they should seek prior agreement with the Officer for that VCA.

“In much the same way that mooring licence fees are collected, Crown Estate charges for moorings within a VCA are collected by the Officer for that VCA. For all moorings outside of a VCA, the Port collects and administers Crown Estate charges. We are therefore unable to confirm how many boats within each VCA have paid Crown Estate charges.”

Recent inspections

The Harbourmaster confirmed that an inspection of Castle Pill moorings was carried out on 28 July, followed by a meeting with the club’s mooring officer on 7 August to discuss findings.
“These findings will be shared at a meeting with Castle Pill Boat Club committee members on 20 August,” he added.

Mr Ryan reiterated that the Port has “no oversight of any VCA/Boat Club finances” and “no authority to inspect or have oversight of the financial transparency or governance of any Voluntary Control Bodies.”

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

3 hours 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

3 hours 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.