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Crime

Another Milford Haven shop hit as traders face growing crime fears

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Community rallies behind Pill shop owner after latest break-in adds to concerns over repeated attacks on local shops

MILFORD HAVEN residents are rallying behind the owner of AJ Store in Pill Lane after the independent shop was hit by another break-in.

The latest incident has left the shopkeeper facing repair and security costs just nine months after taking over the business.

Supporters say the owner has worked hard to keep the shop running and provide a valuable service to the local community, investing his own time, energy and savings into the business.

A fundraiser has now been launched, with the owner’s permission, to help towards repairs and improved security.

Community support

The appeal says: “Our local shop has recently suffered another break-in, leaving the owner facing repair and security costs that are difficult for a small independent business to manage.

“Having taken over the shop just nine months ago, he has worked hard to keep the business running and provide a valuable service to the local community.

“Following the latest incident, repairs and security improvements are needed to help protect the future of the business.”

Organisers said every donation, however small, would make a difference, and urged those unable to contribute to share the appeal with friends, family and local community groups.

Wider concerns

The break-in comes amid continuing concern about attacks on shops and small businesses in Milford Haven.

The Herald has previously reported on robberies and break-ins affecting traders in the town, including incidents in the Pill Lane and Charles Street areas.

Last year, Pill Corner Store was targeted three times in two months, while the nearby Pill Ship store was also robbed at knifepoint. In another case, the One Stop store in Charles Street was burgled, with tobacco, cigarettes, vapes and other items stolen.

Small independent shops are often left to deal not only with the financial cost of crime, but also the emotional strain and the cost of trying to improve security afterwards.

How to help

Residents wishing to support the AJ Store owner can donate through the community fundraiser here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-local-shopkeeper-get-back-on-his-feet

The appeal is titled “Help A Local Shopkeeper Get Back On His Feet – AJ Store, Pill Lane, Milford Haven” and says donations will go towards repairs and security improvements following the latest break-in

Targeted again: AJ Store in Pill Lane, Milford Haven (Pic: Supplied).

 

Community

Road safety operations to be shaped by public concerns

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PUBLIC concerns about speeding, drink and drug driving, mobile phone use and anti-social driving are being used to shape targeted roads policing operations across the Dyfed-Powys Police area.

Surveys submitted through Dyfed-Powys Connects are being combined with collision data and local intelligence to identify problem areas and plan enforcement activity.

Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams, Roads Policing Units and GoSafe are working together on the initiative, with monthly meetings held to review concerns raised by residents.

The operations will focus on offences including speeding, drink and drug driving, failing to wear a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving. Anti-social driving has also been highlighted by members of the public.

Offending motorists stopped during the operations may be offered roadside engagement or face enforcement action.

Police said drivers could be offered a free roadside engagement session or a fixed penalty, depending on the offence and circumstances. A seatbelt offence currently carries a £100 fine, while a speeding offence can result in a £100 fine and three penalty points.

Motorists who refuse to engage with officers, or who are found to be exceeding the speed limit by a greater margin, may be prosecuted.

GoSafe will also assist with targeted enforcement in surrounding areas. Offences recorded by GoSafe may result in an educational course or a fixed penalty, depending on eligibility.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “The information people give us through Dyfed-Powys Connects is invaluable. It lets our teams get into the heart of communities struggling with these issues.

“Connects is opening a new way for us to talk directly with people and have conversations that shape what our officers are doing.

“The more we get from people on Dyfed-Powys Connects, the more we can target this behaviour and make our roads safer for everyone.”

Dyfed-Powys Connects is free to sign up for and is available online or as an app. It provides local alerts about policing activity, crime, anti-social behaviour, events and prevention messages.

Police said the activity and results of the road safety operations will also be published through Dyfed-Powys Connects.

 

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Crime

Haverfordwest man admits cocaine offence as Crown disputes basis of plea

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A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted a cocaine offence, but prosecutors are disputing the basis of his plea.

Callum Chadwick, 26, of Barn Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Monday (June 1).

The court heard Chadwick admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine between June 27, 2024 and May 9, 2026. Prosecutors also referred to “substantial unexplained credits” moving in and out of his bank account.

Chadwick pleaded guilty, but the Crown has not accepted the basis of his plea.

He claimed the cocaine was intended solely to feed his own drug habit. However, prosecutors argued the evidence suggested an intention to supply the drug.

During the hearing, the judge said Chadwick “essentially has good character” and granted his legal representatives 14 days to identify and serve relevant material.

Once that material has been reviewed, Chadwick will have the opportunity to decide whether he wishes to change the basis of his plea.

A further court date has yet to be fixed.

 

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Community

Cat dies after being shot twice with air gun in Milford Haven

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RSPCA appeals for information as cats and wildlife targeted in Hakin area

A CAT has died after being shot twice with an air gun in Milford Haven, prompting a fresh appeal from RSPCA Cymru.

The animal welfare charity said concern is growing after a number of cats and a pigeon were shot in the Hakin area in recent weeks.

The latest case involves a cat which was taken to All Pets Vet Care on May 11 after being shot in the left hind leg. A pellet was found embedded in the bone and vets planned to remove it after treating the cat with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

But the same cat was brought back to the practice in a collapsed state on Tuesday (May 26), unable to use either of its hind legs.

Further X-rays showed a second pellet in the right thigh, which had caused a serious femoral fracture. A healing fracture was also visible in the left tibia. Sadly, the cat died overnight.

‘Really upsetting’

Dr Cethin Ravenhill, from All Pets Vet Care said: “This has been really upsetting to deal with and I am shocked that anyone would shoot an animal with an air gun, as the shot is very unlikely to kill the animal, but just maim and seriously wound them, leading to a slow and painful death and significant suffering.

“For this cat to have been shot twice is very upsetting. Also, sometime between May 11 and last night, a fracture of his tibia was sustained on the left hind leg, which showed evidence of healing on the X-ray.

“This means this fracture is at least twelve or so days old. The two pellets were visible from the latest X-rays along with a severe, fresh femoral fracture of the right hind leg.

“He was signed over to the practice and received emergency supportive care overnight including antibiotics, but unfortunately passed away in the early hours of the morning, most likely due to sepsis from the femoral fracture caused by the pellet.”

Previous attacks

The latest incident follows an appeal last month after a pigeon was found injured on Charles Street by a passer-by.

The bird was examined at All Pets Vet Care after the incident on April 21, and a pellet was found to have shattered through its wing bones. The pigeon was later put to sleep.

In March, the RSPCA also appealed for information after several cats were shot with an air gun in the area. At least one cat died and three others were injured.

RSPCA Cymru fears other cats and wildlife may also have been targeted and is urging the local community to help by reporting any information.

Inspector Keith Hogben, who is investigating the incidents, said: “The report of another cat being shot — and for a second time — is extremely concerning.

“It is heartbreaking to lose a pet, but it is devastating to find out that an air gun pellet had been the cause.

“There is a growing concern that cats and wildlife are being deliberately targeted and killed in this way — there is no excuse to harm a defenceless animal.”

Police informed

Dyfed-Powys Police have been informed.

Anyone deliberately using an air gun to injure an animal can face up to five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine if convicted under the Animal Welfare Act.

Deliberately injuring or killing wild birds is also a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Inspector Hogben added: “Anyone with any information is asked to contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018 and refer to incident number 01751732.

“We would also ask parents and carers to speak to and educate young people about this.”

The RSPCA says it receives almost 1,000 calls every year about air gun attacks, with cats and wildlife among the most vulnerable animals because they are often outside with no one to protect them.

Inspector Hogben said: “We want to see a world where every kind of animal is treated with compassion and respect, and deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty should be consigned to the past.

“We continue to call for tighter controls on air weapons. This, along with better education and explanation of the law when buying an air gun, and requirements that everyone must receive basic safety training before being allowed to walk out of the shop, could help relieve the problem.”

Anyone who witnesses animal cruelty or finds an injured animal can report it through the RSPCA website.

 

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