A POPULAR Pembrokeshire takeaway business is expanding across West Wales, with a new fish and chip shop preparing to open in The Mumbles.

Tenby’s Fish & Chips has announced that its sister business, Bilco’s Traditional Fish and Chip Shop, will soon welcome customers at the Swansea seaside village location.

The new outlet will offer freshly prepared, traditional fish and chips using quality ingredients, with the owners promising the same friendly service that customers have come to expect from their existing businesses.

In a statement shared on social media, the team said they were excited to become part of the local community and share their passion for classic British takeaway food with new customers.

An official opening date has not yet been confirmed, but further details are expected to be announced soon.

Regime restrictions leaving prisoners locked up for long periods despite progress tackling drugs

STAFF shortages at Parc Prison are continuing to severely restrict daily life for inmates despite improvements in tackling illegal drugs, according to inspectors.

A report published on Monday (Feb 16) by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons found that progress at the Bridgend jail was being significantly undermined by ongoing recruitment and retention problems, delays in vetting new staff, and the need to escort prisoners to outside hospital appointments.

Inspectors said these pressures meant many prisoners were spending long periods locked in their cells with limited access to education, work, or rehabilitation activities.

The findings come from a targeted independent review of progress carried out between January 5 and January 7, 2026, rather than a full inspection.

Staffing crisis restricting daily regime

Inspectors concluded that staffing shortages were the main factor preventing improvement across multiple areas of the prison.

The report found that regime restrictions had “severely hampered” progress, with prisoners often unable to access purposeful activity or support services needed to prepare for release.

Limited time out of cell is widely recognised as one of the key indicators of prison instability and poor outcomes.

Drug reduction efforts showing results

Despite the challenges, inspectors identified one significant area of progress.

Leaders and staff had made what the report described as “considerable effort” to reduce the supply of illicit drugs entering the prison.

Measures included:

• Installation of secure windows
• Increased use of technology
• Targeted deployment of resources

These steps were credited with contributing to a decline in drug use among prisoners — a notable development given previous concerns about drug-related instability at the jail.

Concerns over rehabilitation and sentence progression

However, inspectors warned that prisoners were not receiving enough support to progress through their sentences.

Weaknesses in offender management meant some inmates were missing opportunities to complete programmes or move forward in their rehabilitation, potentially affecting their preparation for release.

Public protection weaknesses identified

The report also highlighted concerns around public protection processes, including aspects of risk management for certain offenders.

Such findings are considered particularly significant because they relate directly to the safety of the public after prisoners are released.

Partial recovery after troubled period

HMP Parc, a large Category C resettlement prison operated privately, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years following a period of serious deterioration identified in earlier inspections.

The latest review suggests that while some improvements have been made — particularly in tackling drugs — fundamental operational pressures remain.

Inspectors made clear that without resolving staffing shortages and restoring a full daily regime, wider progress across the prison will remain limited.

PEMBROKESHIRE’S Senedd Members Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz have blasted fresh calls to hand control of policing from Westminster to Cardiff Bay.

Following renewed calls from Plaid and Labour to transfer responsibility for policing in Wales to the Senedd, the pair confirmed that a Welsh Conservative Government in May would block any such move.

While proposals to devolve policing have been raised since the creation of the Senedd, there remains strong opposition, especially as England and Wales already share one legal system.

They say the plan would create more red tape, not safer streets.  And they warned it cuts both ways. Any move towards a single police force in Wales would be just as bad — an idea from Westminster they flatly dismiss as out of touch.

Commenting, Paul Davies said: “Those advocating the devolution of policing are mistaken if they believe it will improve police services in Pembrokeshire.”

“Rather than creating another costly layer of bureaucracy in Cardiff Bay, the four Welsh forces should focus on making better use of their existing budgets.”

“We need stronger rural crime teams, greater investment in early intervention and youth services, and support for community-led crime prevention. The tools already exist within Dyfed-Powys Police, devolution is not a magic wand.”

Samuel Kurtz added: “Further devolution is not in the interests of Pembrokeshire residents, and there is little public demand for it.”

“Currently, all four Welsh forces either require improvement or are delivering only the minimum standard on key metrics and this has got to change.”  

“Communities like ours need policing that tackles rural crime, theft from vehicles and anti-social behaviour. Debates over whether the UK or Welsh Government is in charge are a distraction and will delay delivering the improvements people want to see.”