News

Haverfordwest: Police officer struck by vehicle in Bridge Street whilst chasing suspect

Published

9 years ago

April 5, 2016

Tom Sinclair

Officers at the scene of the accident in Haverfordwest on Tuesday

EMERGENCY services have attended an incident in Bridge Street, Haverfordwest tonight (Apr 5).

The Herald understands that there was a collision between a motor vehicle and a serving police officer, who was in pursuit of a suspect in Bridge Street, in the centre of town.

A witness at the scene said that he assisted the officer by performing first aid.

Simon Henton told The Herald: “I was driving through the centre of town when I saw a woman stopped outside the hairdressers, trying to attract people’s attention.

“A boy was being chased by a police officer through town. The officer had run out of a side street and was struck by a car travelling down Bridge Street. The officer had suffered injuries to his arm and head when he struck a silver Ford Mondeo, impacting the windscreen on the driver’s side of the vehicle, causing it to shatter.

Mr Henton added: “I performed first aid on the injured officer, while we waited for the ambulance service to arrive. The officer was semi-conscious and was taken to Withybush Hospital.”

The Herald attended the scene this evening.

Police vehicles were parked at either end of Bridge Street, while officers attended people recovering items from a silver saloon car which come to halt near the Mountain Warehouse store.

A spokesperson for the police said: “We are investigating following a Road Traffic Collision in Bridge Street, Haverfordwest at approx. 6.35pm. A male police officer, who was on duty and in uniform, was in collision with a silver Ford Mondeo car, after he came out of an alleyway on foot. He has been conveyed to Withybush hospital by ambulance, where the extent of his injuries are yet to be determined, but not believed to be life threatening.

“His colleagues are understandably upset, and are supporting him and his family at this time. Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to contact them on 101.

On Wednesday the police issued a further statement saying: “Dyfed-Powys Police can confirm that the on duty male police officer injured following a collision with a car in Bridge Street remains in hospital this morning. His injuries are not life threatening, and he is comfortable whilst further examinations are undertaken. Dyfed-Powys Police and all his friends and colleagues wish him a speedy recovery, and will continue to fully support him and his family. We would like to thank the public for all the good wishes received for him overnight, and the support shown following this distressing experience.”

Police respond to Bridge Street incident (Pic: Herald)

Crime

Pembrokeshire businessman sentenced for £150,000 Covid loan fraud

Published

17 minutes ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Director lied on three loan applications after already receiving funds

A PEMBROKESHIRE businessman who fraudulently claimed £150,000 in Bounce Back Loans during the Covid-19 pandemic has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

ZAHID AFZAL, aged 37, of Albert Street, Haverfordwest, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (June 12) to two years in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

Afzal, the director of mobile phone businesses Phone Bits Ltd and Phones Onn Ltd, had already received £52,500 in legitimate Covid loans when he applied for a further three loans—one for Phone Bits and two for Phones Onn—between May and November 2020.

The court heard that Afzal lied on each of the second-round applications, claiming they were the first he had made and exaggerating the turnover of the businesses. Each loan was for £50,000—the maximum permitted under the government-backed Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

The Insolvency Service, which investigated the case, found that the majority of the £150,000 Afzal fraudulently secured was transferred to his personal accounts, in breach of the loan scheme’s conditions.

David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “It is clear from our investigations that Zahid Afzal felt he could continue to apply time and time again for loans he was not entitled to. His sentencing should serve as a reminder to those contemplating fraudulently pocketing taxpayers’ money to think again.”

Afzal’s companies operated phone shops and kiosks in Carmarthen, Shropshire, Andover, and North Devon. The Insolvency Service confirmed that no wrongdoing was found in relation to the original £20,000 and £32,500 loans he obtained for Phones Onn Ltd and Phone Bits Ltd respectively.

The government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme was introduced to support small and medium-sized businesses during the pandemic, offering loans of up to £50,000 at low interest, guaranteed by the Government. Loans were strictly intended for business use only.

The Insolvency Service has confirmed it is now seeking to recover the £150,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Crime

Police investigate ‘threats to kill’ at Milford Haven home

Published

21 minutes ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Financial dispute believed to be behind incident on Marble Hall Road

POLICE were called to a property in Milford Haven this week after the occupant reported that people were threatening to kill him.

The incident, which took place on Wednesday (June 11), led to a visible police presence at an address on Marble Hall Road. Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that officers are investigating a report of threats to kill.

In a statement, a police spokesperson said: “Officers are investigating a report of threats to kill made at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, on Wednesday 11 June. Enquiries are ongoing.”

The Herald understands the incident may be linked to a financial dispute over money owed, although this has not been officially confirmed by police.

No arrests have been announced at this stage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online or by calling 101.

Crime

Two arrested following affray near Milford Marina

Published

28 minutes ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TWO people were arrested on Friday evening (June 6) following a disturbance reported on Pill Road in Milford Haven.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers responded to a report of an affray at around 7:45pm. A man aged 30 and a woman aged 28 were arrested near Milford Marina shortly afterwards. Both have since been released on police bail.

Police clarified that, contrary to some rumours circulating locally, no drugs raid took place in connection with the incident.

The Herald understands that the arrests followed a confrontation involving multiple individuals, but police have not released further details, including the identities of those arrested.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police attended to a report of an affray on Pill Road, Milford Haven at around 7.45pm on Friday 6 June. One man, aged 30, and one woman, aged 28, were arrested on suspicion of affray and have been released on police bail.”

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.