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AM raises emotional neglect and emotional abuse in Senedd

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rebecca evansREBECCA EVANS AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, has asked the Welsh Government to outline its approach to tackling parental emotional abuse and neglect following revelations by the NSPCC that increasing numbers of children and young people are turning to them for help because of this. 

Calling for a statement during Assembly Business, Mrs Evans said: “The NSPCC has revealed that UK-wide it had referred more than 5,300 complaints about parental emotional neglect or emotional abuse to the police or social services in the last year – this includes children being bullied, ignored and intimidated by their parents. “I would be keen for a statement outlining how the Welsh Government is ensuring that social services are equipped to recognise and deal with emotional neglect and abuse, and how the Welsh Government is supporting good parenting across society because this is not a problem restricted to one geographical or socioeconomic group. I am also keen to know details of the Welsh Government’s approach to the so-called ‘Cinderella law’ which would update the criminal offence of child cruelty to include emotional neglect and abuse as well as physical abuse.” The ‘Cinderella law’ is a proposal which follows a campaign by children’s charities. It would see parents who deny their children affection face prosecution for the first time in England and Wales. The proposed new law would make it a crime to deliberately harm a child’s ‘intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development’ and sits alongside the physical or sexual abuse of children with those found guilty facing up to ten years in jail. In response, the Minister responsible for Government Business, Lesley Griffiths, said: “Safeguarding children is, obviously, a key priority for the Welsh Government, and we continue to work very closely with statutory and voluntary agencies to help ensure that children are kept safe. You will be aware of the recent Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which received Royal Assent last month. That will deliver a strong statutory framework to improve the outcomes for children and their families. However, we do not underestimate the impact of neglect on many children around Wales, which is completely unacceptable. “We have yet to receive the details of the UK Government’s proposals to update the law to include emotional neglect in the definition of child cruelty, but we are fully supportive of the principle of its proposed approach. We recognise too that parenting support is crucial for families and, obviously, we invest significantly in this through programmes such as Flying Start and Families First, whereby we provide a range of parenting interventions, which help parents to cope with demanding situations and then, hopefully, the families can develop resilience.”

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Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

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Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

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THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

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