News

Rescued dog Phoebe doing a great job

Published

12 years ago

January 16, 2014

PHOEBE, a Sprocker Spaniel, was taken in by Green Acres Animal Rescue last year but is now assisting Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs, the Police and Trading Standards throughout the UK.

During December sniffer dog Phoebe, together with her trainer and handler Stuart Phillips, took part in several operations trying to locate counterfeit and illicit tobacco and cigarettes.

During a two day operation with West Sussex Trading Standards, Phoebe located over 5Kgs of illegal cigarettes and tobacco, which would not have been located had it not been for Phoebe. Shops in Brighton, Chichester and Worthing were visited by Trading Standards Officers, and Phoebe and Stuart were brought in to assist with a thorough search of the shops and their store rooms.

In one shop visited the owners had designed and built a special hiding space to conceal the illegal tobacco which would be sold resulting in thousands of pounds of lost tax revenue. Without Phoebe, the illegal tobacco would not have been found.

In a second operation with Hampshire Trading Standards and Police and Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs Phoebe located over 4.5Kgs of illegal tobacco being sold at a Sunday market. On this occasion Phoebe was required to search market stalls and vehicles and yet again she was able to sniff out illegal tobacco with a street value of nearly £2000 and amounted to over £800 in lost tax revenue.

Stuart Phillips, from Pembrokeshire based B.W.Y CANINE who trained and works with Phoebe, said, “I’m over the moon with Phoebe, she’s turned out to be an amazing sniffer dog and is a very valuable tool in the fight against illegal tobacco in the UK. To think that she came from Green Acres Rescue and is now a very successful search dog is amazing. Phoebe loves her job but she also loves coming home to Pembrokeshire and having a good run and a swim at Newgale beach”.

In the lead up to Christmas, Stuart and his sniffer dogs have been taking part in various operations throughout the UK searching for illegal tobacco and drugs and B.W.Y CANINE is very much regarded as a leading supplier of specialist search dogs to private companies, local authorities and several police services.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

2 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

2 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

3 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.