News
Beware of online scams
TRADING STANDARDS officers in Pembrokeshire are offering advice to local residents on how to avoid being taken in by online scams.
Officers will be on hand at at Pembroke Dock Library tomorrow (Jul 13) and Haverfordwest Library next Tuesday (Jul 19) between 10am and 1pm.
They say the internet can unfortunately give easy access to criminals to carry out scams.
Nigel Watts, Trading Standards Manager, cited a recent example. “A consumer from Cardiff purchased a burglar alarm online for £80. The website claimed it was a UK based business and provided a Pembrokeshire address,” he said.
“A few weeks after being installed, the alarm stopped working and there were safety issues as the batteries supplied with the alarm began leaking acid and coming apart.
“The consumer contacted the seller but they took no action and did not refund the consumer.
“Despite the address provided online claiming to be in Pembrokeshire, the business was actually in China. The site has since been closed down.”
Common online scams include phishing, spams and pop-ups.
Phising is the fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from a legitimate source such as Paypal, a bank or HMRC to induce individuals to reveal personal information. The email may require you to confirm your personal details. It may provide a link for you to click on that may take you to a convincing fake website. Once you enter your details, the scammer will have access to your bank or Paypal account. Legitimate banks will not ask you to click on a link.
Spams are emails from an unknown source, promising monetary gain. Never reply to spam emails, even to stop them as it tells the scammer the address is active. Never call a number or trust any contact details in a spam email.
You may receive “pop-ups” and offers of “free trials”. Be wary as they are often associated with expensive charges. You may find yourself tied in to a contract, longer and more expensive than you were led to believe.
Top Tips
- Be wary of emails from unknown sources. Delete any suspicious emails.
- Ensure you have up-to-date antivirus software.
- Set up a junk mail filter to stop unwanted emails.
- Don’t follow links to get to an official website unless you trust the sender.
- Make sure your payments online are secure, look for the padlock symbol in the address bar.
- If you do not wish to enter your phone number on a website, consider using a scheme called Truecall 38 which enables you to avoid giving your phone number online.
- Be wary of copycat websites, which charge for services that are actually free.
The advice is being offered as part of the National Scams Awareness Month.
Climate
Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum project endorsed as UN Ocean Decade Activity
Climate adaptation toolkit joins global sustainability programme
PEMBROKESHIRE COASTAL FORUM (PCF) has announced that its Climate Adaptation Toolkit for Coastal Communities has been officially endorsed as a United Nations Ocean Decade Activity, recognising the project’s contribution to international efforts to build a more sustainable relationship with the world’s oceans.
The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), coordinated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, brings together organisations across the globe to generate and share knowledge that can support resilient and sustainable coastal futures. Endorsed activities contribute to one or more of the Decade’s ten scientific and societal challenges.
PCF’s Climate Adaptation Toolkit is designed to help coastal communities prepare for the realities of climate change. The project provides accessible information, guidance and learning materials for local authorities, educators and community groups as they plan for coastal erosion, flooding, sea-level rise and other long-term environmental pressures.
Running from December 2025 to March 2026, the project will use online learning resources, case studies and engagement sessions to increase understanding of how climate change is already affecting the coastline, and what practical steps communities can take to adapt.
Jetske Germing, Managing Director of Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, said: “We’re honoured that the Climate Adaptation Toolkit has been recognised as part of the United Nations Ocean Decade. This endorsement highlights the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in tackling coastal challenges, and reflects our ongoing commitment to building resilient, sustainable coastal communities.”
The endorsement places the toolkit within an international network of projects working towards the UN Decade’s vision of “the science we need for the ocean we want”.
PCF’s involvement adds to Wales’ growing profile in the field of coastal sustainability. The organisation’s wider programme of work includes Marine Renewable Energy, Sustainable Recreation, Education and Skills, Water Quality, and Land Use — all centred on its vision of a sustainable coast and ocean for future generations.
Further information about the UN Ocean Decade can be found on the initiative’s website.
Crime
Youth given conditional discharge for smashing pub windows
A TEENAGER has been handed a conditional discharge after admitting damaging windows at a Pembroke pub last year.
A 17-year-old boy from Pembroke Dock, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 13).
The court heard that on April 10, 2024, he damaged several windows at a premises owned by Marston’s PLC, causing £1,002 worth of damage.
He received a six-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £500 compensation. Magistrates made no order for costs, noting that compensation should take priority.
Crime
Milford Haven man fined for failing to attend drugs assessment
A MILFORD HAVEN man has been fined after admitting failing to attend an initial assessment following a positive Class A drug test.
Mark Brummitt, 45, of Robert Street, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 13).
The offence took place on September 4 at Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Services in Haverfordwest, where Brummitt failed to attend the required appointment.
He pleaded guilty and was fined £80, with £85 prosecution costs. Magistrates took the guilty plea into account.
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Tomas
July 14, 2016 at 1:48 pm
biggest scam must be the IPiG group of councillors – are we being warned about them?
fernando hernandez
October 9, 2025 at 5:42 am
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