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Milford Haven School: Police called over 120 times in just two years

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FIGURES obtained by The Pembrokeshire Herald have highlighted the scale of police involvement in Milford Haven School over the last few years.

The investigation comes days after police attended the school to break up a fight between pupils. A video of that incident went viral on social media.

Since that story broke, a teacher at Milford Haven School has spoken to The Pembrokeshire Herald on condition that they are not named in this newspaper.

The Herald was told by the member of staff: “Some of the pupils at the school are totally out of control. The police are called often, sometimes several times in one week.

Our source added: “I would say that there are near riot conditions. I know that some of the staff have spent time off work, and they have told me that this is because of stress-related issues.”

The Herald checked with the local authority who said that emergency services had attended Milford Haven school 127 times since January 2017.

Of these calls, 110 were to the police’s 101 service, and 17 were to the 999 emergency call centre.

It is not known at this stage of the 999 calls how many were to ambulance or fire brigade – but it is understood from our source that nearly all of these calls were to Dyfed-Powys Police.

In 2017 there were 63 calls to the 101 service and eight to the 999 service.

In 2018 there were 45 calls to 101 and again eight calls to the 999 service.

So far in 2019, just days into the new term there have been two calls to 101 and one 999 call.

The council said that these figures, which they supplied, ‘show 101 calls declining and 999 calls stable’.

As the school is open for 190 days a year, the numbers demonstrate that the police are contacted on average two or three times a week during term time.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “It is important to point out that 101 calls cover a range of issues and 999 could be for the other emergency services, ambulance and fire.

The spokesperson added: “The police do attend the school for a variety of reasons, for example, if a young person is reported missing; to deliver assemblies to students, lunchtime workshop.”

In relation to work-related stress, the Council said: “There are no teachers currently absent from work with work-related stress.”

The council added, in a statement: “The school wishes to make clear that it takes the safety of pupils and staff very seriously and all incidents are dealt with under tested policies and procedures.

“This ensures that pupils are provided with the best possible opportunities to achieve their potential. The school would like to thank parents/carers and the wider community for their continued support.”

In December police were carrying out high visibility searches to stop drugs being brought into the school.

Police officers along with a drugs dog sent time on the school premises where some pupils were searched – but nothing was found.

PC Adam Bateman said: “This was a proactive exercise to show pupils at the school that if they thought about taking drugs onto school grounds we would be able to find them.

“As a precautionary measure, an area of the school grounds was searched by the police dog in order to establish whether any drugs were present.”

Headteacher Ceri-Ann Morris said: “We have confidence that this is an effective part of an overall drugs education strategy.”

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Councils pay over £100,000 to Crown Estate annually

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CALLS FOR DEVOLUTION

NEW data has revealed that councils in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Carmarthenshire pay a combined £105,589.29 each year to the Crown Estate for public access to land.

The figure was obtained through Freedom of Information requests by the office of Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for Mid and West Wales (pictured). Mr. Campbell argues the findings strengthen his party’s call for the devolution of the Crown Estate’s responsibilities to Wales.

Currently, profits from the Crown Estate are received and managed by the UK Treasury on behalf of the royal family.

PLAID CYMRU PRESSURE

In the Senedd today (Wednesday, February 19), Mr. Campbell questioned Jayne Bryant, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Housing. He raised concerns about the financial strain on local councils and the impact of rising costs.

“Local authorities, facing the cost-of-living crisis and increased national insurance contributions, are having to consider cuts to public services to balance their budgets,” he said. “Ceredigion Council, for instance, is facing a £5 million deficit and considering a council tax rise of up to 14%.”

He added: “Do you agree with me and my Plaid Cymru colleagues that it is impossible to justify councils in south-west Wales sending over £100,000 to the UK Treasury and royal family each year? Shouldn’t the process of transferring responsibility for the Crown Estate to Wales begin as soon as possible?”

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Welsh Conservatives vote against £7m support for Welsh businesses

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A POLITICAL row has erupted after the Welsh Conservatives voted against a Welsh Government plan to provide £7 million in financial support to businesses struggling with their bills. The decision, made in the Senedd on Tuesday (Feb 18), has drawn sharp criticism from Welsh Labour, who accused the Tories of failing to help businesses recover from economic pressures exacerbated by UK Government policies.

Labour slams Tory opposition

A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: “You couldn’t make it up. The party that gave us the disastrous Liz Truss budget that sent bills soaring has now voted against providing a package of support for Welsh businesses worth £7 million.”

The funding was part of a broader £335 million package within the Welsh Government’s 2025-26 budget, aimed at easing financial pressures on businesses. The proposed support included targeted relief for the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors, which have been struggling amid high operating costs and economic uncertainty.

Tories defend their stance

The Welsh Conservatives have defended their decision, arguing that their own economic growth plan, which included reinstating business rates relief to 75% for key sectors, would have been a more effective solution. Their proposal was rejected by Labour members, leading to their opposition to the alternative package.

Pembrokeshire MS Sam Kurtz says Labour has consistently failed Welsh businesses

Samuel Kurtz MS, the Welsh Conservatives’ Shadow Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Welsh Language, said: “Labour has consistently failed Welsh businesses. Instead of implementing real, long-term solutions to drive economic growth, they are offering piecemeal support that does not address the deeper challenges facing our economy.”

Economic challenges in Wales

The debate over business support comes against the backdrop of concerning economic statistics in Wales. The nation continues to grapple with higher unemployment rates and lower employment figures compared to other parts of the UK. Businesses, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors, have been vocal about the need for more substantial government intervention to cope with rising costs.

The Welsh Labour Government insists that its package is necessary to provide immediate relief, while the Welsh Conservatives argue that broader tax and economic reforms are needed to create a more sustainable business environment.

Divided reactions

Business leaders and organisations have expressed mixed reactions to the political fallout. While some have welcomed the Welsh Government’s funding plan, others believe it does not go far enough to address long-term financial pressures.

A spokesperson for Business Wales said: “Any support for businesses is welcome, but we urge all parties to work together on long-term solutions that provide certainty and stability for Welsh enterprises.”

Political fallout

The vote has intensified the ongoing political battle between Labour and the Conservatives in Wales, with both parties accusing each other of failing to support the economy effectively. With the Welsh economy facing ongoing challenges, businesses will be watching closely to see if further financial relief or policy changes emerge in the coming months.

The Herald will continue to follow developments on this issue.

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Government to consider report on Welsh-speaking communities

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THE WELSH GOVERNMENT says it has welcomed a new report examining how town and country planning impacts Welsh-speaking communities, with recommendations for strengthening policies to protect the language.

The Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities has published its findings on the challenges faced by the Welsh language. Evidence presented to the commission highlighted concerns from planning authorities and professional bodies, many of whom believe existing policies and guidelines need revision to better support Welsh-speaking areas.

The report outlines 14 recommendations, including the need to strengthen planning guidance and assess the impact of policies on the language. One key proposal calls for a framework to evaluate how planning applications affect the Welsh language in high-density Welsh-speaking areas, similar to assessments used for Special Areas of Conservation. The commission also recommends reinforcing Technical Advice Note 20 to provide clearer guidance on planning matters relevant to the Welsh language.

The Welsh Government will now review the report and respond to its findings in the coming months.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford, said: “I would like to thank the members of the commission for presenting this report, and the contributors who have shared their time and expertise. We will consider its findings and recommendations carefully.”

Dr Simon Brooks, Chair of the Commission, added: “Following thorough research, we have concluded that planning policies related to the Welsh language should be revised. Strengthening the role of the language within the planning system is crucial to securing its future as both a national and community language.”

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