News

Public urged not to feed foxes

Published

12 years ago

November 21, 2013

DON’T FEED foxes is one of the key recommendations in a new document entitled Urban Foxes: Guidelines on their management launched today.

The publication produced by a coalition of public health bodies and conservation organisations provides the most up to date advice and guidance on practical methods to control the urban fox population.

With so many differing views and opinions on the management of urban fox populations, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)and its National Pest Advisory Panel (NPAP) called on specialist knowledge and expertise to help produce this science-based document. The guidance incorporates the views of public health practitioners, pest controllers and conservationists.

Few doubt that left unchecked urban foxes can cause disturbance, nuisance and in rare cases a public health threat. The urban environment in our cities provides a very suitable environment for foxes to live, breed and in many cases thrive.

Poor food waste management at fast food outlets and restaurants, overgrown back gardens, gaps under sheds and house foundations and broken air vents are all contributory factors to the successful colonisation of urban areas of foxes.
Some people enjoy seeing foxes in their gardens and actively encourage them by providing food and harbourage. By addressing these two core areas, public health campaigners say it is possible to lessen the risk of foxes becoming a problems in the first instance.

Key recommendations in the document include:

Do not feed foxes, either intentionally or unintentionally, as this can disrupt the ‘natural order of things’ and artificially sustain populations. Store rubbish, especially food waste (including composted food waste), in fox proof containers made of materials such as metals
Ensure foxes cannot access food put out for other wildlife or pets
Always clear away spilt food from under any bird feeder
Clear overgrown areas of gardens, especially where there are brambles
Ensure that gaps under sheds and house foundations are suitably proofed to prevent ingress

Commenting on the document, Bob Mayho, CIEH Principal Policy Officer, said:

“While there is no single solution to managing fox problems, I am confident that this document can help the public, public health professionals and pest controllers with enough solid guidance to help manage ‘fox problems’ in a practical and humane way.

“Foxes are a natural part of our urban environment but their numbers do need to be controlled to avoid them causing a nuisance or a potential public health problem.

“Digging, defecating and bin raiding habits of foxes can cause considerable nuisance and disturbance. The risk of catching infections from a fox in the UK is low but care should be taken to avoid direct contact with faeces. Do not handle droppings with bare hands and ensure that children and adults always wash their hands after spending time in the garden.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.