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Red Kite name is flying high

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flying highTHE Red Kite name will once again be flying high in Welsh legal circles “Quality is still the watchword here at Red Kite,” said partner David Sangster, “as our recent Lexcel reaccreditation shows.

“And from February 6, we will be trading again as Red Kite Law – a strong, local, Welsh brand and one that resonates in the communities we live and work in. Our research shows that our clients value great service from a local firm rather than a national brand.”

“We have a fantastic team of solicitors and long-lasting relationships with our clients who like us because we are local, we are good lawyers and we do a great job for them.”

Mr Sangster added: “So far the feedback from clients has been very positive. But the name of the firm just isn’t the most important thing for them.

It’s what we do for our clients here in Wales that matters

“Our plans for this year will build on what we already have: a forward-thinking Welsh firm that delivers good quality legal advice to local people and businesses from a sound business base. The year 2014 is shaping up to be a memorable one for Red Kite Law.”

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Senedd Member praises local community initiative in Haverfordwest

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SENEDD Member Paul Davies has praised Feed the Community as a “fantastic initiative” during a recent visit to Haverhub in Haverfordwest. The project, which is backed by several local organisations, offers free hot meals and activities to residents.

Feed the Community is organised by Councillors Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner and Dani Thomas-Turner, with support from Haverfordwest Town Council.

Mr Davies said: “Feed the Community is a fantastic initiative and a great example of the local community coming together to create inclusive and welcoming events.”

He added: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for local businesses and charities to connect with residents and strengthen community ties. The event was well attended, and I was pleased to meet residents, business representatives, and volunteers. The positive atmosphere at the Hub was inspiring, and I was delighted to experience it firsthand.”

Pictured above: Paul Davies is seen with organisers Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner and Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner. 

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Crime

More than 2,000 child sexual abuse image crimes recorded in Wales last year

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Private messaging platforms exploited by criminals

MORE than 2,000 child sexual abuse image offences were recorded by police forces in Wales over the past year, according to Home Office data. The figures highlight the exploitation of private messaging platforms by criminals to share illegal material, prompting renewed calls for stronger regulations.

The NSPCC has urged the UK Government to take decisive action to protect children in private messaging environments. The charity, along with Barnardo’s and the Marie Collins Foundation, has written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Science, Innovation, and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, calling for Ofcom’s approach to private messaging to be strengthened.

Six offences recorded daily

The data shows that 2,194 child sexual abuse image crimes were recorded by Welsh police forces in 2023/24, equating to around six offences per day.

  • Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 192 offences.
  • South Wales Police recorded 964 offences.
  • North Wales Police recorded 535 offences.
  • Gwent Police recorded 503 offences.

A separate Freedom of Information request by the NSPCC revealed that, in cases where police documented the platform used by perpetrators, half (50%) of offences occurred on Snapchat. Meta platforms accounted for a quarter of cases, with 11% on Instagram, 7% on Facebook, and 6% on WhatsApp.

Call for stronger protections

In their letter to the Government, child protection charities expressed concerns over Ofcom’s Illegal Harms Code of Practice, published in December 2024. The charities argue that the code does not go far enough to protect children from the worst forms of abuse on private messaging services, despite the Online Safety Act aiming to address such risks.

Ofcom has stated that platforms are only required to remove illegal content where it is ‘technically feasible’. However, campaigners warn that this loophole allows some services to avoid implementing basic protections for children.

Police data suggests that private messaging platforms are involved in more child sexual abuse image crimes than any other type of online platform. Offenders exploit the secrecy of these services to target children and avoid detection.

The role of end-to-end encryption

The NSPCC is calling on the UK Government to push Ofcom to strengthen its codes of practice and ensure online safety regulations adequately tackle this issue. The charity also wants private messaging services, including those using end-to-end encryption, to introduce robust safeguards.

End-to-end encryption is a secure communication system where only the sender and recipient can access messages, preventing service providers from detecting illegal content. This, campaigners argue, creates a ‘safe haven’ for child abusers.

Childline reports rise in cases

Data from Childline provides further evidence of the dangers of private messaging platforms. Last year, the service delivered 903 counselling sessions to children experiencing blackmail or threats to expose or share sexual images online—a 7% increase compared to 2022/23.

One 13-year-old girl who sought help from Childline said: “I sent nude pics and videos to a stranger I met on Snapchat. I think he’s in his thirties. I don’t know what to do next. I told him I didn’t want to send him any more pictures and he started threatening me, telling me that he’ll post the pictures online. I’m feeling really angry with myself and lonely. I would like support from my friends, but I don’t want to talk to them about it as I’m worried about being judged.”

NSPCC chief executive’s warning

Chris Sherwood, NSPCC Chief Executive, said: “These offences cause tremendous harm and distress to children, with much of this illegal material being repeatedly shared and viewed online. It is an outrage that in 2025 we are still seeing a blatant disregard from tech companies to prevent this illegal content from proliferating on their sites.

“Having separate rules for private messaging services lets tech bosses off the hook from putting robust protections in place. This enables crimes to continue to flourish on their platforms even though we now have the Online Safety Act.”

He added: “The Government must set out how they will take a bold stand against abuse on private messaging services and hold tech companies accountable for keeping children safe, even if it requires changes to the platform’s design. There can be no excuse for inaction or delay.”

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Health

Welsh NHS Confederation calls for long-term workforce plan

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Leaders urge government to address staffing challenges

THE WELSH NHS Confederation has responded to an Audit Wales report highlighting workforce challenges in the health and social care sector, calling for a fully funded, long-term staffing plan.

Darren Hughes, director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said: “We welcome Audit Wales’ report on NHS workforce challenges. It’s no secret that the workforce is the lifeblood of the NHS and social care services.”

He reiterated long-standing calls for the Welsh Government to invest in a costed Long-Term Plan to create a sustainable workforce, ensuring the NHS and social care services can meet future demand.

Growing workforce, rising costs

Hughes acknowledged ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on agency staff and fill vacancies but warned that while the NHS workforce is expanding, staffing costs are rising unsustainably.

“Audit Wales rightly questions the sustainability of these rising staffing costs in the current financial climate,” he said.

Multi-disciplinary teams needed

NHS leaders believe that multi-disciplinary teams are key to meeting the evolving needs of the population. However, Hughes expressed concerns over the lack of a national workforce plan and unclear system leadership arrangements.

“Now more than ever, we must work together across NHS and social care boundaries to find long-term solutions to recruitment and retention,” he added.

The Welsh NHS Confederation represents the country’s seven local health boards, three NHS trusts, Health Education and Improvement Wales, and Digital Health and Care Wales.

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