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‘Don’t soak the burghers’

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don't soakTHE MAYOR OF LONDON, Boris Johnson, is being urged by Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon to not buy a water cannon.

Londoners are being asked for their views on the use of the riot control machines in the capital, the Metropolitan Police Service having identified a potential value.

But PCC Mr Salmon claims they should be avoided in Britain even though public order may be an issue.

In a letter to Mr Johnson, the Commissioner writes: “We have much to do to shore up the battered foundations of our police service.

“I struggle to see how soaking the stalwart burghers of city or shire will advance this cause.

“The residents of West Wales are not unused to the wet but, as a general rule, would rather petition their Parliament dry.

“I have no sympathy for the professional hand-wringers who see something sinister in the very concept of defending social order.

“I entirely agree that we should ‘get medieval’ early on rioters. But water cannons play to the opposite instinct – to risk aversion and caution.

“These lumbering continental imports could never be in enough places, in quick enough time, to assist in controlling opportunistic rioters with mobile phones plugged to their ears.

“London represents what is great about our country – its creativity, energy, eccentricity, its unruly refusal to conform and its healthy disdain for political power. Those traits lie at the heart of the whole country’s traditions also.

“Water cannons have more than a whiff of authoritarianism about them. They will do little to contain flash-mob rioting and a lot to inflame legitimate protests.

“I hope you will leave them to the continent.”

The Mayor’s public engagement over water cannon runs for six weeks and closes on February 28.

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Crime

Haverfordwest man accused of racially aggravated harassment

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A HAVERFORDWEST man has been accused of racially aggravated harassment against a Haverfordwest town councillor.

Lee Woodmass, 48, of Hywel Road, Haverfordwest, is alleged to have harassed Councillor Randell Turner-Thomas, who represents the Castle ward, during an incident in the town centre on August 6 last year.

Woodmass is accused of intentionally causing alarm or distress to Cllr Turner-Thomas during an altercation.

Woodmass previously appeared before a district judge sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where he denied the charge. He elected a Crown Court trial, and proceedings commenced on November 29.

The defendant later pleaded guilty to the offence on a basis, but this was not accepted by the prosecution.

A Newton Hearing will take place at Swansea Crown Court on January 2 to determine the facts of the case.

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News

Angle RNLI locate missing person in early morning search

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THE ANGLE LIFEBOAT’S crew were paged at 3:23am this morning (Sun, Dec 29) to assist the police with a search for a missing person in the Milford Haven area. Police officers had located an item of clothing on the beach and with concern that a person may have entered the water, the lifeboat was requested to assist.

Tasked to search from Milford Beach to the Rath, the lifeboat was soon on scene and a search was commenced. Not long into the search, the crew spotted a casualty on the rocks to the east of Milford Beach.

The Y boat was deployed and a crew member went ashore to reassure the casualty. Shortly after, the person was taken onboard the Y boat and handed over to police officers and members of Dale and Broad Haven Costguard Rescue Teams at the bottom of Slip Hill. With the casualty cold and wet, Y boat returned to the lifeboat to collect blankets.

After a brief handover, the Y boat was recovered and the lifeboat returned to her berth and readied for further service by 4:45am.

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Crime

Youths failed to stop, then crashed into Milford Haven home

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POLICE in Milford Haven have arrested two male youths following a fail-to-stop incident that ended with their car crashing into a residential property on Hamilton Terrace.

The incident occurred at 10:50pm on Friday (Dec 27). According to officers, a black Mercedes failed to stop on North Road before speeding along The Rath and turning back onto Hamilton Terrace. As the car continued down the road, it was met by a second police vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

In an attempt to avoid the oncoming police car and another pursuing from behind, the vehicle tried to drive up Francis Street against the one-way system. However, it failed to make the turn and crashed into a residential property.

The occupants then fled on foot, with one officer pursuing on foot and another driving against the one-way system towards The Trafalgar Public House.

The property sustained damage to a wall, and the vehicle was left undrivable and is now being recovered. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.

The police were seen searching the crashed vehicle, and took several paper bags full of potential evidence from the scene.

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