DYFED-POWYS POLICE have issued reassurance to the community after Ysgol Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen was placed into a precautionary lockdown on Wednesday afternoon following threats against a pupil. 

A17-year-old male from Carmarthenshire has been arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and remains in police custody. 

A police spokesman said: “Following inquiries relating to an incident of threats against a pupil at Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen on Wednesday afternoon (Dec 10), which led to a lockdown at the school, a 17-year-old male from Carmarthenshire has been arrested on suspicion of threats to kill. He is detained in police custody.

“The school will be open as normal tomorrow, but there will be a precautionary police presence to provide reassurance and support to pupils and staff.”

Health board urges public to help protect vulnerable patients

From today (Thursday, December 11, 2025), Hywel Dda University Health Board has reintroduced mandatory face masks for all visitors and staff in clinical and patient-facing areas as cases of flu and other respiratory viruses continue to rise across west Wales.

The health board says the number of patients needing care for respiratory illnesses has been “increasing at a steady rate”, prompting the return of precautionary measures. All staff — regardless of role — must now wear a surgical mask when in clinical environments or interacting with patients, unless otherwise advised through PPE guidance. Visitors must also wear masks when entering clinical areas, including when attending appointments at hospitals and community sites.

Sharon Daniel, Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience, said the precaution was necessary to prevent further spread within local hospitals.

“We are seeing a growing number of people with flu and other respiratory viruses needing our care and need to take this proactive step to limit the spread within our services and sites,” she said. “This change is effective immediately and our Infection Prevention colleagues will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis.”

Ms Daniel reminded visitors not to attend hospitals if unwell.
“You should only come to our sites if you are feeling well, and to wait 48 hours after you are free of flu and cold-like symptoms, or sickness and diarrhoea. This helps protect our most vulnerable patients and keeps staff well so they can look after those in greatest need.”

While visiting remains open, Hywel Dda warned this could change at short notice if virus levels continue to increase.

Masks will be available at all hospital and community site entry points.

Health board urges public support

Ms Daniel added: “There are several ways people can support our NHS during this time. Please follow the mask-wearing guidance and ensure that you wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water.

“A simple way to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe this winter is to have a flu vaccination. Information on where you can get your vaccine — including RSV and COVID-19 boosters if eligible — is available on our website.”

More information about vaccination clinics can be found at hduhb.nhs.wales/fluvaccine.
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Equinor and Siemens Energy figures take top roles expected to influence major investment

SENIOR figures from two of the world’s largest renewable energy companies have been appointed Vice-Chairs of the UK’s Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) — a move expected to have direct implications for Pembrokeshire as the Celtic Sea floating wind sector accelerates.

Melissa Read, Head of UK Offshore Wind at Equinor, and Andrew Elmes, Head of Government Affairs for Siemens Energy UK & Ireland, were confirmed in their roles by Energy Minister Michael Shanks.

Their appointments come at a critical time for West Wales, with the Celtic Sea poised for significant development and Pembrokeshire’s deep-water ports — Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock — expected to become central hubs for supply-chain manufacturing, assembly and long-term maintenance.

Equinor, Ms Read’s company, is one of the international developers bidding for floating offshore wind sites in the Celtic Sea. Success in these auctions could bring substantial inward investment to Pembrokeshire, including fabrication and marine engineering roles linked to the ongoing Pembroke Dock Marine redevelopment.

Siemens Energy, represented by Mr Elmes, is a key turbine and infrastructure supplier and is expected to play an important role in any expansion of assembly or marshalling operations along the Haven Waterway.

Announcing the appointments, Energy Minister Michael Shanks said offshore wind remained “the backbone of Britain’s clean power future” and insisted the benefits must reach “every region across the UK”. For Pembrokeshire, those benefits could include hundreds of skilled jobs, major port upgrades and a strengthened long-term role in national energy security.

Industry leaders have described the upcoming auction round for new offshore wind projects as a “crucial moment” in unlocking work packages around the Celtic Sea. OWIC’s new leadership will steer discussions on supply-chain development — an area where Welsh Government, Milford Haven Port Authority and local business groups are pressing for decisive commitments to ensure companies in West Wales can compete.

RenewableUK has said the UK could triple domestic manufacturing capacity and create up to 10,000 additional supply-chain jobs nationally by 2035 through targeted offshore wind investment. Local officials hope a significant share of that growth will be centred on the Haven Waterway.

Both Read and Elmes said they were “honoured” to take on their roles and emphasised the need for close collaboration between government, industry and local supply chains — all seen as vital to turning the Celtic Sea opportunity into real economic gains for Pembrokeshire.