News

Council urges public to be aware of scams

Published

10 years ago

January 21, 2015

Sandra MacSparron and Emma Hanlan-Baker from the Public Protection Trading Standards team at Pembrokeshire
County Council.

EVERY year, hundreds of thousands of pounds are estimated to have been lost in Pembrokeshire as a result of people being scammed. Many hundreds of people in the County fall victim to postal, phone or email scams annually – as well as rogue doorstep traders. Cllr Huw George, Cabinet Member for Enironmental and Regulatory Services said: “There are some heartbreaking stories of people in Pembrokeshire who have been targeted and caught out by these scammers, and have lost huge sums of money.”

As a result, the Trading Standards team at Pembrokeshire County Council has been working on specific ways of protecting people who are more vulnerable to being targeted. People of any age and background can be susceptible to fall for scams. Often they are elderly or live alone with no family nearby. Nigel Watts, Trading Standards, Animal Health and Welfare Manager said: “Unfortunately, criminals have put together lists of vulnerable people all over Britain and are selling them to scam companies.

“We have received a copy of this list from the National Trading Standards Board and our team has identified up to 300 people on it from Pembrokeshire who are potentially vulnerable. “We have been writing to them to ask if we can advise them on issues which may affect them.” He added: “We are also giving talks to local groups about how to spot a potential scam and are working with several partner organisations including social services, local banks, Age Concern, and PAVS.” Signs which indicate someone is being scammed include an increase in post. Once someone replies to one postal scam they will usually start receiving lots more. Some people can receive up to 50 letters a day.

Other signs include changes in spending – withdrawing large sums of money or writing lots of cheques – or receiving lots of phone calls. Nigel added: “If you think you or a member of your family is being scammed, come to us and we will assist. “We are especially keen for any family or carers of elderly people who think something might be wrong to contact us.

“Often, people don’t realise they are being scammed and it doesn’t come to light until a relative or carer notices something suspicious.” Nationally, £3.5 billion a year is lost through scams, including £60 million on fake prize draws. Sandra McSparron, Senior Trading Standards Officer, warned against being duped by letters, emails and phone calls about such draws.

She said: “Remember, if you have not entered a prize draw, then you have not won anything. “People in Pembrokeshire have lost tens of thousands of pounds on these fake prize draws and false inheritance scams. “Some people are tempted to take the risk. It’s the lure of the possibility of being set up for life. And if only one or two out of a thousand take the risk, then that’s worth it for the scammers. “Be warned – if it looks too good to be true, it always is.”

National work to clamp down on scams include an initiative by Royal Mail and the National Trading Standards Board Scams Team, which are working to identify scam mail and stop it entering the postal network. The team has already intercepted up to six tons of scam mail in Britain and £100,000 – and that’s the tip of the iceberg. Sandra continued: “Some people are taken in by rogue companies because they provide a UK address – but some scam companies buy mail forwarding addresses or a UK domain name, to make them appear to be UKbased, when they are actually based abroad.”

She added: “These people are unscrupulous. Businesses can also be targeted- receiving invoices for goods or services not agreed to, followed by threats from alleged debt collectors if payment is not made. “Unfortunately it is happening in Pembrokeshire. We’ve got a number of examples of it. Come and report it to us. We know it can cause a great deal of anxiety. There is advice that we can provide.”

News

Fire crews test skills in airport training exercise

Published

58 minutes ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FIREFIGHTERS from Haverfordwest and Milford Haven were put through their paces last week during a specialist training exercise held at Withybush Airport.

The operation, known as Exercise Red Kite, was carried out on Wednesday (Apr 29) and saw teams from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) simulate an emergency response at the airport, putting their incident command and rescue skills to the test.

As part of the exercise, crews deployed foam carriers and a water bowser, practising a complex rescue scenario designed to mirror the challenges of a real-life airport incident.

Station Manager Aled Lewis described the day as a valuable learning opportunity.

“Exercise Red Kite gave crews the chance to work together across stations, sharpen their operational response, and train in a realistic setting,” he said. “We’re very grateful to Withybush Airport for making the site available.”

The training forms part of the fire service’s ongoing commitment to readiness and teamwork in high-pressure environments.

MAWWFRS is currently looking to recruit new on-call firefighters across the region. Anyone interested can visit the service’s website for further details and to register their interest.

Health

Tufnell secures pledge to improve GP access across Pembrokeshire

Published

1 hour ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CAMPAIGN to improve GP access across Pembrokeshire has taken a significant step forward this week following a meeting between local MP Henry Tufnell and the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda Health Board.

The Herald understands that during the meeting, held earlier this week, it was agreed that best practice would be established across all GP surgeries in the county—something Mr Tufnell has been calling for since launching his primary care campaign several months ago.

The move follows a detailed public survey conducted by the MP, in which hundreds of residents voiced concerns over delays in securing GP appointments and inconsistent service levels across different practices.

In a video message posted to social media, Mr Tufnell said: “After a constructive meeting with Professor Phillip Kloer, I am pleased that we are both on the same page and recognise the need for real action in response to the needs of our community.

“For months now, I have raised the need for improvements, and thanks to the powerful feedback from my recent survey, we are on the right path to establishing best practices that will benefit everyone across Pembrokeshire. We must finally see an end to the postcode lottery of accessing primary care.”

Mr Tufnell is expected to meet with Professor Kloer again later this summer to assess whether the promised improvements are being implemented effectively.

He added: “I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to complete my survey on GP services. Your input is making a real difference, and together, we can continue to improve the healthcare services that are so vital to our community.”

The MP has also launched a new survey to gather public feedback on access to NHS dental services in the area.

Residents wishing to take part in the dental survey can do so online HERE.

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/mid-and-south-pembrokeshire-nhs-dentist-access-survey/

Entertainment

SPAN Arts presents: An Autopsy of a Mother, a Bear and a Fridge

Published

1 hour ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A contemporary dance-theatre experience by Deborah Light

SPAN ARTS is proud to present Deborah Light — acclaimed choreographer, movement director, and mother — in her first solo show, An Autopsy of a Mother, a Bear and a Fridge. This bold and visceral work of contemporary dance-theatre delves into the complexities of motherhood through three seemingly unrelated objects.

With a distinctive blend of clinical precision, raw vulnerability, feminist fury, and wicked humour, Deborah unpacks the symbolic connections between a mother, a bear, and a fridge. In doing so, she lays bare personal truths and the societal pressures that weigh on the female body, in a powerful critique of patriarchal systems.

Known for her collaborative work across dance, theatre, film, and site-based performance, Deborah is also co-director of Light/Ladd/Emberton and lectures in movement at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. This new solo show is supported by Arts Council Wales, Chapter, NDCWales, YMa, SPAN Arts, and Taking Flight.

The performance will take place at Canolfan Hermon on Thursday, May 16 at 7:00pm. After the show, audiences are invited to stay for an informal post-show conversation with Deborah over tea and cake, to reflect on the themes of the piece.

Please note: The show is recommended for ages 14+ and contains references to death, motherhood/matrescence, surgery, violence against women, gender-based inequality, ageing, climate change, and may include strong language.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, 16 May 2025
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Canolfan Hermon, Hermon, Glogue, SA36 0DT
Tickets: £12.00 (full price) / £8.00 (concessions)
Box Office: www.span-arts.org.uk/book or call 01834 869323
Access: Free companion/carer tickets are available. Please call 01834 869323 to arrange.

Refreshments and snacks will be available at the venue.