GOVERNORS at Milford Haven Comprehensive School have issued a public statement responding to concerns about leadership and staffing following last week’s serious on-site incident.

The Governing Body said staff have shown “remarkable professionalism, resilience and care for our pupils” during what it described as a very challenging period.

Governors added they have maintained a daily presence in school and praised the teamwork shown by staff across all departments.

They confirmed the headteacher remains absent due to injury, with the deputy head leading the school day-to-day.

The Senior Leadership Team was described as “proactive and effective”, ensuring the school continues to run smoothly and with clear direction.

Addressing one of the key local questions, governors said a new Business Manager had already been appointed.

They stated the new postholder was in place for a full week before the previous manager left, allowing for a proper handover.

Meanwhile Pembrokeshire County Council says additional welfare support is now in place, including the Education Psychology team on site, counselling provision and an increased presence from the School Police Liaison Officer.

The authority also confirmed the Director of Education remains in daily contact with school leaders.

The statement follows last week’s incident in which a 15-year-old pupil was charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article. The case has been sent to Swansea Crown Court.

Governors say a meeting for parents will be held after half term to discuss the school’s response to Estyn recommendations and plans moving forward.

They added they remain “fully committed to working with openness, respect and a shared determination to secure the very best outcomes for our pupils.”

Calls for “honest leadership” over future of Bronglais, Withybush and South Pembrokeshire

A WEST WALES councillor has accused health chiefs and the Welsh Government of repeatedly failing local communities over the future of hospital services.

Cllr Aaron Carey has issued a public statement calling for what he describes as “honest leadership and 21st-century care” for residents across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

In his statement, Cllr Carey said hospitals including Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest are “lifelines” that must be strengthened rather than allowed to decline.

He claimed Hywel Dda University Health Board had repeatedly reassured the public that services would be protected, only for those assurances to be weakened or reversed.

“Time and again, residents have been told that no decisions have been made, that services are safe, or that changes are temporary,” he said. “Too often, those words have proven hollow.”

Cllr Carey also referenced long-running uncertainty over proposals for a new “super hospital” in the region, arguing that delays and ambiguity surrounding the project had contributed to what he described as “drift and decline” at Withybush.

He said Bronglais Hospital faces continued pressure, with concerns about staffing levels and the sustainability of key services in rural mid and west Wales.

The councillor further highlighted issues including long ambulance response times, pressures on GP surgeries, reduced community provision and difficulties accessing timely treatment.

Rural communities, he said, should not receive “second-class care”.

South Pembrokeshire Hospital closure

Cllr Carey pointed to the temporary closure of services at South Pembrokeshire Hospital over the Christmas period, which were later reinstated following public pressure and a petition he said he personally presented to the health board.

He claimed that those services were subsequently closed again “without warning or meaningful consultation”.

“This sequence of events speaks volumes about how decisions are being made and how little respect is shown for local voices,” he said.

Call for Welsh Government action

Cllr Carey said Hywel Dda Health Board operates under the oversight of the Welsh Government, which he argued must provide greater intervention and investment.

“We need honesty instead of spin, genuine engagement instead of box-ticking consultations, and a clear commitment to strengthening hospitals like Bronglais and Withybush for the long term,” he said.

In previous statements, Hywel Dda University Health Board has said it faces significant financial pressures and workforce challenges, alongside increasing demand for services across a largely rural region. The board has previously maintained that any changes to services are made with patient safety, sustainability and clinical evidence at the forefront, and that public consultation forms part of its decision-making process.

The Welsh Government has also stated that it continues to invest in NHS Wales, including capital funding for new facilities and improvements in community-based care, while working with health boards to ensure services remain safe and sustainable.

Firearms, drugs and GBH suspects detained as pre-planned raids hit Bush Street and Gordon Street

A MAJOR armed police operation across Pembroke Dock on Friday (Feb 13) has resulted in four arrests, police have confirmed.

Heavily equipped firearms officers, dog units and CID teams carried out a pre-planned operation across Bush Street and Gordon Street, sealing off several roads and entering multiple addresses.

The Herald reported live from the scene as officers moved between locations, first targeting a flat on Bush Street shortly after 11:30am before extending cordons into neighbouring streets and making further arrests near the Jobcentre on Gordon Street.

Residents described a large and highly visible response, with armed officers carrying carbines and ballistic shields and specialist teams guarding doorways while searches were conducted.

Police vehicles blocked both ends of the streets for several hours.

Arrests confirmed

In a statement, Dyfed-Powys Police said the coordinated action involved several departments and led to four people being detained.

Those arrested were:

• A 37-year-old man on suspicion of grievous bodily harm
• A 28-year-old man for failing to appear in court
• A 35-year-old man for failing to comply with a drug treatment and testing order, fraud, possession of a firearm, and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs
• A 32-year-old woman for possession of a bladed article, being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, and possession of a firearm

Detective Sergeant Jamie Hughes, of Pembrokeshire CID, told the Herald the police were active proactively to combat criminality in the area. He said: “We would like to thank the community for their support and patience whilst we undertook our operation in Pembroke today.

“I hope it serves as a reminder to those in Pembrokeshire that police will take action against those who intend to commit crime in our county and will deal with offenders robustly and efficiently.”

Streets locked down

The Herald witnessed officers entering properties, deploying dog units and escorting suspects away in handcuffs as enquiries continued.

Access between Bush Street, Gordon Street and surrounding roads was restricted while searches were completed.

Residents said the scale of the response was unlike anything normally seen in the area.

Anyone with concerns is asked to contact police via 101 or through the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

More updates as they come in.