News

Neyland: £15,000 CCTV system does not work at night

Published

8 years ago

September 9, 2016

shutterstock_190693001 A £15,000 CCTV system installed in Neyland to reduce anti-social behaviour does not work during the night, Dyfed-Powys Police have revealed.

Town councillors were told on Monday (Sep 5) in a meeting that they were not capable of providing the evidence required to reduce crime at Brunel Quay car park.

In the meeting, PC Jon Dunn said the CCTV system was doing “what it says on the tin during the day” but wasn’t what the police required at night since the images are not clear enough to identify faces or car number plates.

To make matters worse, one of the cameras is installed near a tree which obscures the view, which would allow over a dozen cars to be hidden from the camera.

PC Dunn continued: “If any of the boy racers wanted to be sitting there they would be totally out of the way.”

The cameras were installed by the security firm Ocon.

The Mayor, Cllr Simon Hancock, said: “We were told at the outset that these cameras would be good for evidence by reading number plates and identifying drivers. That was absolutely clearly stated, and that is not the case.”

Cllr Paul Smith then said that Ocon needed a “clear timescale” to sort the problems.

If the issues were not fixed in an appropriate timescale he suggested that the council should then “demand its money back or take court action.”

He continued: “If this was a business I was running we wouldn’t still be talking about it. We’re being strung along and this could go on for month after month.

“I cannot see why we’re being so reasonable with them, this is absolutely pointless.”

The manufacturer of the cameras, Avigilon, had a meeting scheduled with town clerk, Jane Clark, to look at and tune the cameras if required.

But Cllr William McGarvie felt this meeting should involve Ocon, not Avigilon: “Surely the contract is with Ocon, it’s for them to put it right, they’ve sold us a system that doesn’t work.”

In response the clerk said she wanted the manufacturer to be aware of the issues should they persist: “I don’t think Avigilon would want to be supplying cameras to a company that are going to have such dissatisfied customers.”

News

Wales v Ireland – how to follow all the action on TV

Published

2 mins ago

November 26, 2024

Herald Sport

AS WALES look to take-on the Republic of Ireland in the Play-off final for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, viewers and listeners can follow all the action on the BBC. Rhian Wilkinson’s team will embark on arguably the most important fixtures in their history as they look to secure qualification for their first major tournament.

The first leg on Friday, 29 November at the Cardiff City Stadium is live on BBC One Wales, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, all from 7pm.

The second leg at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on Tuesday, 3 December will be broadcast live on BBC One Wales and BBC Three from 7.15pm. On radio there will be live commentary on radio Wales Sport and Chwaraeon Radio Cymru from 7pm.

Reflecting on the coverage of the matches over the next few days Cymru Head Coach Rhian Wilkinson said: “As the oft used saying goes, you cannot be what you cannot see, and that’s the gap the Welsh Women’s national Team fill when they play at home and when they are given prime viewership time on our televisions. These women have punched above their weight for a decade, a team that runs on pride and passion for their country, a team that knows nothing but giving their all for their flag.

“These women will not only step out onto the field at Cardiff City Stadium to take a step closer to making history in qualifying for Euro 2025, but will also once again be the face of what might be for so many young Welsh women. Their faces, their pride, front and centre on Welsh TVs. These women are the heroines of a generation on women here in Wales, building a pathway and a normalcy for female sporting excellence in this great country of ours.”

Broadcast details:

29 November, (ko) 7.15pm. Wales v Republic of Ireland (first leg)

Match Of The Day Wales, BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer from 7pm

Radio Wales Sport and Chwaraeon Radio Cymru from 7pm

3 December, (ko) 7.30pm. Republic of Ireland v Wales (second leg)

BBC One Wales, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer from 7.15pm

Radio Wales Sport and Chwaraeon Radio Cymru from 7pm

Crime

Milford Haven woman in court over theft and fraud allegations

Published

19 mins ago

November 26, 2024

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN woman is set to appear at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court later today (Nov 26) facing charges of theft and fraud.

Kelly Rees, 35, of Precelly Place, Milford Haven, is accused of stealing three bank cards and £2 in cash from Cheryl Lewis at Carmarthen Railway Station on August 20 this year. Prosecutors allege that Rees then used the stolen bank cards to make or attempt to make fraudulent purchases at a Tesco store in Milford Haven.

The first charge, theft contrary to the Theft Act 1968, carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and an unlimited fine if proven. The second charge, fraud by false representation under the Fraud Act 2006, carries the same potential penalties.

Rees is expected to enter her plea during the first hearing, scheduled for 10:00am.

This is a developing story, and The Herald will bring updates as they become available.

Charity

70 years on: Remembering St Davids RNLI’s heroic rescue

Published

23 mins ago

November 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

TODAY marks the 70th anniversary of a remarkable lifesaving operation by St Davids RNLI volunteers. In treacherous weather, crews from St Davids and Rosslare lifeboat stations rescued 42 men from the stricken Liberian tanker World Concord, which had broken in two during a ferocious storm.

On the night of November 26, 1954, a powerful storm battered the United Kingdom, causing widespread destruction. At Brawdy, wind speeds reached a staggering 132 mph. Out at sea, 10 miles west-northwest of the Smalls lighthouse, the 20,000-ton World Concord succumbed to the raging waves, splitting into two sections.

Lifeboats launch in perilous seas

At 8:28 am on November 27, St Davids lifeboat Civil Service No. 6 launched from St Justinian’s. Though the wind had eased to gale force, the seas remained perilous, with waves towering 15-20 feet. By 11:45 am, the lifeboat reached the tanker’s aft section.

Crew members aboard the lifeboat made 35 daring approaches to evacuate the stranded crew, navigating treacherous conditions and avoiding the tanker’s still-turning propeller. Over 50 harrowing minutes, all 35 crew members were safely rescued.

Meanwhile, the fore section of the World Concord, carrying the captain and six crew, drifted further into dangerous waters. With the lifeboat already at capacity, St Davids coxswain William Watts-Williams made the difficult decision to prioritize the safety of the rescued crew and return to shore, arriving back at St Justinian’s around 3:00 pm.

Rosslare Harbour lifeboat steps in

Later that afternoon, Rosslare Harbour lifeboat launched at 3:50 pm and reached the fore section of the tanker after nightfall. Unable to conduct a rescue in the dark, the lifeboat stood by until first light. At 8:30 am, the remaining seven crew members were successfully rescued and brought to safety in Holyhead.

Honouring bravery

For their extraordinary bravery, Coxswain William Watts-Williams was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal, while mechanics George Jordan and Gwilym Davies received the RNLI Bronze Medal. Second Coxswain David Lewis and crew members William Rowlands, William Morris, Howell Roberts, and Richard Chisholm were honoured with the RNLI’s Thanks on Vellum. The Rosslare Harbour lifeboat crew received similar recognition for their valiant efforts.

A legacy of heroism

Seventy years on, the courage and skill displayed by the crews of St Davids and Rosslare Harbour lifeboats remain an inspiration. As we commemorate this historic rescue, we pay tribute to the selflessness and dedication of those who risked their lives to save others.