News
Government to toughen sentencing on animal cruelty

CRIMINALS who are cruel to animals could soon be facing tougher sentencing.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, which will see a significant increase to sentences for animal cruelty offences, is an ‘important step forward’ says Preseli MP Stephen Crabb.
The tabling of the legislation followed a crucial meeting at 10 Downing Street where ten leading welfare organisations, including Dogs Trust charity, came together to demand an end to inadequate sentences.
Once it has become law, those convicted of animal cruelty offences will face a maximum jail term of five years, rather than the paltry six months in place at the moment.
Stephen Crabb MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire said: “I am proud to see this important step forward for animal welfare.
“There was a large outcry locally, when in 2016 two swans were shot dead in Haverfordwest in an act of mindless thuggery.
“Too often when people have been found guilty of an offence against animals the law has proved too weak to offer what many would consider an appropriate punishment. People don’t want to see courts handing out a slap on the wrist when someone has deliberately killed or maimed a beautiful animal.
“So I am pleased that the Government in Westminster published a new law to strengthen punishments when it comes to animal welfare.”
Dogs Trust Veterinary Director Paula Boyden said: “We whole-heartedly welcome the progress of this Bill through the Parliamentary process, as we continue our fight to tackle animal cruelty – an increase from the six-month maximum sentence is long overdue and much-needed to deter offenders.
“We also hope the Government will guarantee the welfare of the animals involved in cruelty cases while trial proceedings take place is considered. There is potentially a hugely detrimental effect on the wellbeing of dogs held in kennels for extended periods during long-running cases.”
News
Car crashes into house in St Davids

EMERGENCY services were called after a car crashed into a house on Nun Street in St Davids on Thursday (Apr 24).
Dyfed-Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene at around 4:35pm following reports of a single-vehicle collision.
On arrival, they found that a car had collided with a residential property. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The road remained open while the vehicle was recovered.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police attended a report of a single-vehicle road traffic collision where a car collided with a property on Nun Street, St Davids, at around 4:35pm yesterday. No injuries were reported, and the road remained open while the vehicle was recovered.”
Community
Milford Haven and Neyland Police issue appeal for missing man

POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a 54-year-old man who has been reported missing from the Milford Haven area.
Neil is described as being around 6ft 2in tall with a shaved head. He has tattoos on his arms and one of his fingers, and sometimes wears glasses.
He was last seen on Friday afternoon (Apr 26) wearing a black Superdry hoodie, ripped jeans, and orange and black Nike Air trainers. Neil is believed to be on foot.
Anyone with information that could help is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police: | Online portal
| 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk
| Call 101, quoting reference 262 of April 26.
Community
Fire service delivers vital kit to Ukraine

Wales joins UK’s largest firefighting aid convoy
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has taken part in the UK’s largest ever convoy delivering vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, joining 17 other Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) from across the country.
The convoy, coordinated by FIRE AID and supported by the UK Government, left the UK in early April. It travelled through France, Germany and Poland, delivering over 30 fire service vehicles and more than 15,000 items of equipment to support Ukrainian firefighters on the front line of the ongoing war.
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, UK fire services have donated 119 vehicles and over 200,000 pieces of equipment to Ukraine. Each participating service ensured local needs were met before donating surplus kit.
Watch Manager Rob Kershaw represented MAWWFRS on the convoy. He said:
“It’s been a privilege to be part of this convoy and to represent both FIRE AID and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
We received invaluable support and assistance from fire and police services across every country we passed through. Their help in coordinating, escorting, and hosting the convoy was outstanding.”
Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas KFSM added:
“MAWWFRS is proud to support our colleagues in Ukraine by donating and delivering essential equipment.
The events in Ukraine have deeply affected the fire and rescue community, and this convoy is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to helping those still working under extreme conditions.”
The donated equipment will support firefighters in Ukraine who continue to operate in war zones to save lives and protect property—often at great personal risk. Since the conflict began, 100 Ukrainian firefighters have been killed and 431 injured. A total of 411 fire stations and 1,700 firefighting vehicles have been destroyed.
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