News

Safety fears prompt call for ‘gull cull’

Published

12 years ago

August 26, 2013

SEAGULLS displaying aggressive behaviour in Tenby have prompted calls for a “gull cull” – amid fears for public safety.
Councillors in Tenby say herring gulls in the town are attacking builders on rooftops and families on beaches.
The town’s Mayor Sue Lane requested that the local authority be approached to see if there was a way of controlling the belligerent birds.
“It’s a dangerous issue health wise and it’s getting out of control,” she said. “So I feel the time has come to get in touch with the county council, to see what control methods can be brought in.
“They were once just sea birds, but now they’re fast becoming land birds and need controlling.”
Businesspeople in the town say incidents of food snatching have become more common as the birds become over-familiar with humans.
Mario Fecci, of Fecci’s Ice Cream Parlour, said the gulls had become skilful opportunist who were now an increasing nuisance.
“We’ve had customers who have bought cream cakes or ice cream and had them snatched right out of their hands.
“There is most definitely a problem with gulls here in Tenby, where it seems they are nesting.
“It’s not just a problem for holidaymakers. Living in the town ourselves, we are quite often woken up around 4am with very loud squawking.
“They have become quite aggressive. You see them walking up to people on the parade and not thinking anything of snatching chips out of their hands.
“They are not scared of people any more. But we all have a responsibility not to feed them. The seagulls are opportunists who are finding it much easier to survive off fish and chips on land instead of finding food at sea, where they should be.”
Builder Andrew Thomas said there had been incidents of dive-bombing.
“If you’re near their territory, and there are chicks in the nest, they can get quite aggressive.
“One of our boys just got out of the van to use the cashpoint, and a gull swooped down at him. He raised his arms and it flew off but you can see how people with young kids would be scared.”
Andrew Davies, Tenby Town Council’s clerk, said the town’s Civic Society had written to Pembrokeshire Council to request seagull-proof bin bags.
“These are bags to put domestic rubbish in that can’t get torn open by gulls. Apparently there have been pilots in the West Country.
“Although the town council and county council encourage residents to cover their rubbish, not everybody does and the gulls are very intelligent birds. They are getting to realise that they can get underneath the covers.”
The RSPB’s Grahame Madge “Gulls are very intelligent and live on their wits.
“They will capitalise on any way they can find food and will try to seize ice creams and fish and chips from people at places like Barry Island, or in cities like Cardiff.”
A spokesman for Pembrokeshire Council said any work to reduce seagull numbers was too late this year.
“We have advised Tenby Town Council that it is now too late in the year to commence a programme of gull control, if that is what they wish to do.
“Any such action would need to commence in January or February.We have also pointed out that any such control work is expensive and no appropriate budget currently exists within the County Council.”

Health

Senedd backs bill to create smoke-free generation and curb youth vaping

Published

12 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A LANDMARK BILL aimed at creating Wales’ first smoke-free generation has been backed by Members of the Senedd on Tuesday (Dec 9).

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill — which applies across all four UK nations — will make it illegal for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to purchase tobacco products. The legislation has already passed the House of Commons and is currently being considered by the House of Lords.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Sarah Murphy welcomed the Senedd’s vote on the legislative consent motion, describing the Bill as vital to protecting young people from a lifetime of nicotine addiction. Ahead of the debate, she met school children who shared a poem they had written about a smoke-free future, along with pledges of support gathered from their peers.

Wales has already led the UK in tightening smoking laws, introducing restrictions in outdoor public spaces — including hospital grounds, school grounds and playgrounds — to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke, particularly for children.

Sarah Murphy said: “This is a historic day for public health in Wales. Despite real progress in reducing smoking levels, tobacco remains one of the leading causes of preventable disease and premature death. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill gives us a unique opportunity to tackle smoking and the growing issue of youth vaping, and to significantly improve public health in Wales and the wider UK.”

Wales’ Chief Medical Officer, Professor Isabel Oliver, added: “Tobacco addiction kills thousands of people in Wales every year and continues to drive health inequalities. This Bill offers a once-in-a-generation chance to break that cycle and protect future generations from a product that has caused immeasurable harm.”

The Bill will introduce tougher rules around vapes, including stricter advertising controls to prevent products being marketed to children. It will also introduce a new licensing scheme for anyone wishing to sell tobacco or vaping products, giving enforcement officers stronger tools to tackle illegal sales.

Trading Standards Wales will receive more than £650,000 from the Welsh Government over the next three years to support implementation, including the recruitment and training of five apprentices to assist with enforcement operations.

News

Bus services to return to public control across Wales

Published

13 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Tom Sinclair

BUS services in Wales are set for their biggest transformation in a generation after the Senedd today passed a landmark Bill bringing routes back under public control.

The Bus Services (Wales) Bill will overhaul the way local bus networks are planned and delivered, giving the public sector far greater influence over how services run in both rural and urban communities. Ministers say the reforms will put passengers first by creating a network that is reliable, affordable and easier to navigate.

Working alongside local authorities, Corporate Joint Committees, bus operators, unions and the public, the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales will use local knowledge to design services that better reflect community needs. The long-term ambition is a fully integrated system offering one network, one timetable and one ticket across the whole of Wales.

The Bill also aims to tackle social isolation, cut transport emissions and lay the foundations for a modern, joined-up public transport system with simpler timetables and better access.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, described the Bill’s approval as a “historic day” for Welsh public transport.

“This is a Bill that will transform the way bus services are delivered here in Wales, putting people and communities first with reliable, affordable and easy-to-use joined-up services,” he said.

“I understand this is a big change for the industry and will take time to implement across Wales, but the change is long overdue, and I’m excited about what we can deliver for the people of Wales by working in collaboration.”

The Welsh Government plans to introduce the reforms in phases:

South West Wales – 2027
North Wales – 2028
South East Wales – 2029
Mid Wales – 2030

The legislation marks a major step toward creating a fairer, greener and more connected transport system for Wales.

Crime

Phillips found guilty of raping baby in “worst case” judge has ever dealt with

Published

17 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Baby’s mother cleared as judge says case “shaken me to my core”

CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS has been found guilty of the most serious offences in the devastating case of seven-week-old Baby C, including multiple counts of penetration and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The baby’s mother, who cannot be named, has been cleared of every charge, including allegations that she failed to protect her child.

The verdicts were delivered this afternoon (Dec 9) at Swansea Crown Court following a harrowing three-week trial.

Following the verdicts, Judge Paul Thomas KC delivered an emotional statement rarely heard from the bench. He told the courtroom: “In my over forty years of experience, this has been the most distressing case I have ever had to deal with.

“This has truly shaken me to my core.”

Turning to the jury, he said: “I would like to show my admiration to you all. I appreciate the toll this may have had on your mental health. You are a testament to our jury system. Thank you for all of your great effort.”

Judge Thomas ordered a pre-sentence report and requested an updated assessment of Baby C’s current physical and psychological health following the injuries he sustained.

He also directed that a psychiatric evaluation be prepared on Phillips to determine the level of danger he poses and to assist in setting the appropriate sentence.

He warned Phillips that he is facing “an extremely long prison sentence”.

Phillips will also be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register within three days of arriving in prison.

The jury’s verdicts confirm Phillips was responsible for the catastrophic injuries inflicted on Baby C in January 2021, including a bleed on the brain, multiple fractures, severe bruising, blunt-force trauma to a testicle and anal injuries described in court as “gaping”.

Medical specialists told the court they had administered morphine to a baby so young only “a handful of times” in their careers.