Teenager arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after lockdown triggered

A TEACHER was assaulted by a pupil brandishing a weapon at Milford Haven School on Tuesday afternoon (Feb 4), triggering an emergency lockdown and a major police response.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police were called to the school at around 3:20pm following reports that a member of staff had been attacked.

A lockdown was immediately implemented, with doors secured and pupils and staff told to remain inside classrooms and offices while the situation was dealt with.

Most pupils had already left at the end of the school day, but some remained on site for after-school activities.

Police confirmed that the injured teacher’s wounds are not believed to be stab injuries and they are currently receiving medical treatment.

Superintendent Chris Neve said: “We can confirm police are at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, following a report of the assault of a teacher by a pupil brandishing a weapon at the school at approx. 3.20pm.

“The teacher’s injury is not a stab injury. A lock down was implemented but has now been lifted. The teacher is receiving medical treatment for their injuries.

“All pupils at the location are safe, and most have gone home. Officers remain at the school.

“A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempt murder and is in police custody.”

Parents told The Herald they were alerted to the lockdown shortly after 3:00pm via messages and social media, with some describing staff and pupils being kept inside rooms for safety as a precaution.

The lockdown has since been lifted, but officers remain at the scene while enquiries continue.

There have been no reports of any injuries to pupils.

The Herald has also contacted Pembrokeshire County Council for further comment.

Photo caption: Police vehicles outside Ysgol Aberdaugleddau Milford Haven School following Tuesday afternoon’s incident (Pics: Herald).

Lockdown triggered as pupil allegedly attacks staff member with weapon – boy, 15, held on suspicion of attempted murder

A TEACHER was injured and a 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an assault involving a weapon at Milford Haven School on Thursday afternoon (Feb 5).

Police were called to the school at around 3:20pm following reports that a pupil had assaulted a member of staff while brandishing a weapon on the premises.

An immediate lockdown was put in place across the campus, with doors secured and pupils and staff told to remain inside classrooms and offices while emergency services dealt with the situation.

Most pupils had already gone home at the end of the school day, but a number were still on site for after-school clubs and activities.

Several marked vehicles from Dyfed-Powys Police attended and officers remained at the scene into the evening while enquiries continued.

Police confirmed the injured teacher’s wounds are not believed to be stab injuries and that they are receiving medical treatment.

Superintendent Chris Neve said: “We can confirm police are at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, following a report of the assault of a teacher by a pupil brandishing a weapon at the school at approximately 3.20pm.

“The teacher’s injury is not a stab injury. A lockdown was implemented but has now been lifted. The teacher is receiving medical treatment for their injuries.

“All pupils at the location are safe, and most have gone home. Officers remain at the school.

“A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently in police custody.”

Parents told The Herald they were alerted shortly after 3:00pm through school messages and social media. Some described staff and pupils being kept inside rooms as a precautionary safety measure.

Several parents said communication from the school was clear and timely, helping to reassure families while procedures were in place.

In a further statement, police added: “Police attended an incident at Milford Haven Comprehensive School today at 3:20pm, following a report of the assault of a teacher by a pupil at the school. A lock down was implemented but has now been lifted. All pupils at the location are safe, and most have left the school. Police officers remain at the site. Any planned after-school events have been cancelled this evening.”

There have been no reports of injuries to pupils.

The Herald has contacted Pembrokeshire County Council for further comment.

This is a developing story.

Photo caption: Police vehicles outside Ysgol Aberdaugleddau Milford Haven School following Thursday afternoon’s incident (Pics: Herald).

School already under special measures

Inspectors identified concerns including standards, leadership and the pace of improvement, with the school and the council required to implement an urgent action plan and accept additional oversight.

At the time, Pembrokeshire County Council said it was working closely with leaders to strengthen support for pupils and staff and drive improvements across the site.

There is no indication that Thursday’s assault is directly connected to the inspection outcome. However, the incident is likely to heighten focus on safeguarding, behaviour management and the level of support available within the school community.

Lockdowns and precautionary responses rare but not unprecedented

SERIOUS incidents requiring lockdown procedures in Pembrokeshire and neighbouring counties remain uncommon, but schools across west Wales have faced a small number of precautionary responses in recent years.

Most have involved reports of suspicious behaviour, fights or concerns about potential weapons, with schools acting quickly to secure buildings while police assess the risk.

Education leaders say lockdowns are now standard safeguarding practice and are designed to protect pupils and staff rather than indicate confirmed danger.

In several recent cases locally, schools have temporarily restricted movement or kept pupils indoors following reports made to staff, with police later confirming there was no ongoing threat.

Headteachers are increasingly trained to use “lockdown” or “stay put” procedures in the same way as fire drills — as a precaution while facts are established.

Teaching unions and councils have previously stressed that serious violence inside schools is still extremely rare, but say clear procedures help prevent panic and ensure pupils remain safe.

Police also routinely work with schools on prevention, including liaison officers, safeguarding talks and education around weapons and youth violence.

Thursday’s incident at Milford Haven is therefore likely to be treated as an isolated criminal matter rather than a wider threat to other schools.

However, it will inevitably prompt renewed discussion around behaviour, support services and safety measures for staff and pupils across the region.

Man subject to Crimewatch appeal admitted breaching lifetime notification rules after months living ‘off grid’

A REGISTERED sex offender who sparked a nationwide police hunt after disappearing on release from prison has been jailed after walking into a Pembrokeshire police station and handing himself in.

Christopher Spelman, aged 66 and of no fixed address, had been missing since July last year after refusing to comply with strict legal requirements to register his whereabouts with police.

Instead, officers were told he intended to buy a tent and live “off grid”.

The disappearance triggered an extensive search led by Lancashire Police, supported by forces across the UK. Public appeals were issued and the case was highlighted on Crimewatch in a bid to trace him.

Police believed Spelman was moving between campsites and travelling by public transport, with links to several parts of England and Wales including Merseyside, Manchester, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire.

The search ended unexpectedly on January 3 when Spelman walked into Haverfordwest Police Station and surrendered himself. He was arrested at the front desk. It is not known how long he had been in Pembrokeshire before handing himself in.

Lifetime registration

Swansea Crown Court heard that Spelman had previously been jailed for seven years in 2014 for sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14.

That conviction placed him on the sex offenders register for life, requiring him to notify police of his address and report any changes within three days.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson told the court that after his most recent release from a Dorset prison on July 4, 2025, Spelman made it clear he would not provide an address, immediately putting himself in breach of the law.

When he failed to contact officers, a formal manhunt began.

The court also heard this was not the first time he had vanished. Following an earlier release in 2016, he similarly failed to register and remained at large for around five years before being located.

‘Unusual case’

Defence barrister Andrew Evans described the matter as “unusual”, telling the court that Spelman disputes his original conviction and has long expressed a desire to live outside society.

However, he said the defendant had now accepted that, regardless of his personal views, he remained bound by a court order and must comply with it.

Evans added that Spelman had asked the court to impose a custodial sentence to allow time for proper accommodation and supervision to be arranged for his eventual release.

Sentencing, Judge Geraint Walters said there were signs Spelman wished to change but warned that any future breaches would lead to longer prison terms.

Spelman, who has 11 previous convictions covering 29 offences, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the notification requirements.

With credit for his guilty plea, he was jailed for ten months. He will serve up to half that time in custody before being released on licence.