Community

Hatred towards minorities ‘frighteningly common’ in Wales

Published

8 months ago

October 17, 2025

HATRED towards minority groups is becoming “frighteningly” commonplace and “acceptable to some” in Welsh society, a Plaid Cymru Senedd Member warned.

Sioned Williams cautioned Wales faces deep divisions fomented by hatred – whether rooted in racism, religious intolerance, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia or ableism.

She told the Senedd: “What is frightening to me is that denying or justifying hatred towards people in Wales is now so commonplace and acceptable to some in our society.

“It’s a frightening time for minorities and people who are seen by some as legitimate targets, either for physical attacks, online attacks or political attacks.”

Ms Williams, the party’s shadow social justice secretary, reiterated Plaid Cymru’s calls for powers over justice and policing to be fully devolved to Wales. “We can’t tackle hate, which is growing, with our hands tied behind our backs,” she said.

The former journalist pointed to a stream of hostile comments on a Welsh Government anti-hate campaign advert on Facebook as evidence of deep and widening divisions.

Her comments came in response to an October 14 statement by Jane Hutt, the social justice secretary, who acknowledged a “worrying rise in hatred and division” in recent years.

Jane Hutt, secretary for social justice, trefnydd and chief whip

Marking national hate crime awareness week, Ms Hutt told the Senedd the Welsh Government’s stance is “unequivocal – hate and prejudice have no place in Wales”.

The minister expressed particular concerns about a 30% rise in religious hate crime in Wales compared with last year, which followed on from a 21% increase.

She said: “Some trivialise hate crime as mere name calling. We must remind the public that hate crime is… motivated by prejudice, it causes lasting harm and undermines cohesion.”

She told the Senedd: “Social media and tech companies must do more to protect users from harm. We continue to work with Ofcom to understand how new powers will protect people.”

Altaf Hussain, the Conservatives’ shadow social justice secretary, contrasted an overall 5% increase in hate crimes in Wales with a 5% fall across England and Wales.

Conservative MS Altaf Hussain — Altaf Hussain MS, Welsh Conservative shadow social justice secretary

The surgeon-turned-Senedd Member warned of “wild west” online communities fuelling people’s isolation, fear of others and driving hatred.

But he cautioned of a potential chilling effect on free speech and argued failing to tackle illegal immigration does little to foster community cohesion.

Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds warned online hate and misinformation is increasing, saying: “Many of us are targets… and the political language we use is absolutely critical.”

Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats

Ms Hutt told the Senedd the Welsh Government will set up an expert group, chaired by equality campaigner Gaynor Legall, following a committee inquiry into social cohesion.

Jenny Rathbone, who chairs the Senedd’s equality committee, applauded the minister’s rapid response in accepting the report’s first recommendation within four working days.

She told Senedd Members: “We are in a very, very difficult situation at the moment and it can only get worse as we move towards a highly contested election next May.

“I think the conversation I’m sure many of us had with a senior policeman today tells us that this is not going to be easy.”

Her Labour colleague John Griffiths agreed, reminding politicians of their responsibilities given the fevered and, at times, poisonous atmosphere surrounding political debate.

Community

Woman rescued from coast path after ankle injury

Published

6 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Coastguard teams called to Dinas Island near Pwllgwaelod

A WOMAN was stretchered from the coast path near Pwllgwaelod after suffering an ankle injury.

HM Coastguard Fishguard was tasked at 5:22pm on Friday, June 27, alongside HM Coastguard Teifi, to assist the casualty on Dinas Island.

The teams attended the scene near Hendre Farm Campsite and Cottages and, with help from the landowner, were able to quickly locate the injured woman.

Her injured limb was immobilised before she was carried by stretcher to her nearby car, where family members were able to take her on to hospital.

Fishguard Coastguard thanked the landowner for their help.

Community

Civic service brings Pembrokeshire towns together in Haverfordwest

Published

8 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CIVIC service has been held at St Mary’s Church in Haverfordwest, bringing together civic leaders, councillors, cadets and community representatives from across Pembrokeshire.

The Mayor’s Civic Service took place at 11:00am on Sunday, 28 June 2026, at the historic High Street church, one of the county town’s most familiar landmarks.

The service was hosted by Haverfordwest Town Council and attended by the Sheriff of Haverfordwest, Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, Deputy Lord Lieutenants, the mayors of Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Neyland and St Davids, members of the Guild of Freemen, the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet and the Mayoral Cadet.

St Mary’s Church has stood at the heart of Haverfordwest for more than 800 years. Built in about 1200, its size and position have made it one of the town’s dominant historic buildings.

Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner said the occasion had been “truly special and humbling”.

He said: “It was an honour to gather in one of our town’s most historic and beautiful buildings, a church that has stood at the heart of our community since the 12th century, bringing people together in faith, service and reflection.”

Cllr Thomas-Turner and the Sheriff thanked all those who attended, saying the presence of civic representatives from neighbouring towns reflected the “strong spirit of friendship and partnership across Pembrokeshire”.

They also paid tribute to fellow town councillors, the Guild of Freemen, and the cadets who supported the service.

Cllr Thomas-Turner added: “Days like today remind us that civic life is about more than titles and chains of office. It is about service, community, friendship and working together for the good of our towns and our county.”

He said the event had been a proud day for Haverfordwest, adding: “Haverfordwest truly is the Best in the West.”

Community

Thousands line Cardigan streets for Lord Rhys homecoming parade

Published

9 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THOUSANDS of people lined the streets and quayside in Cardigan on Saturday as the town marked 850 years since Lord Rhys held the first recorded Eisteddfod at Cardigan Castle.

The spectacular procession formed the finale of the Journey of Lord Rhys, a week-long celebration which has travelled across west Wales before returning to Cardigan, where the story began in 1176.

***Five-metre-tall puppet of Lord Rhys in the streets of Cardigan (Pic: Steve Greenhalgh)***

At the centre of the event was a 5-metre-tall puppet of Lord Rhys, created as part of the Carreg Filltir Las project to celebrate the origins of the National Eisteddfod.

***Thousands of people in Cardigan outside the castle for the celebration (Pic: Eisteddfod)***

Crowds gathered around the castle, quayside and town centre as music, performance and pageantry brought the story of the first Eisteddfod back to life.

One of the most striking moments saw George, one of the Gentle Giants Shire Horses, given the honour of carrying this year’s Eisteddfod Chair to Cardigan Castle, 850 years after chairs were first awarded there for poetry and music.

VIDE:O FACEBOOK/Steve Greenhalgh

The first recorded Eisteddfod was hosted by Lord Rhys ap Gruffudd at Cardigan Castle in 1176, with poets and musicians competing in what is widely regarded as the foundation of the modern Eisteddfod tradition.

VIDEO: FACEBOOK/Gentle Giants Shire Horses

This year’s National Eisteddfod, Eisteddfod y Garreg Las, will be held at Llantood from August 1 to 8. The location is less than four miles from Cardigan Castle, creating a direct link between the first recorded gathering and the modern festival.

VIDEO: SOLO CLOTHING/FACEBOOK

The Eisteddfod has described the anniversary as a chance to celebrate 850 years of tradition while inspiring new audiences across Wales.

Saturday’s homecoming brought that history into the streets of Cardigan, with families, visitors and local residents turning out in large numbers for one of the most significant cultural moments in the town’s recent history.