News

Cops won’t tolerate ‘groups of idiots causing trouble’

Published

11 years ago

August 7, 2015

tenbydrinkers POLICE and pub landlords in Tenby have launched a scheme to tackle drunken and anti-social behaviour this summer

IT was once the stag party capital of Wales but now police and pub landlords in Tenby are taking more action reduce alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and violent crime in the town.

As well as increasing police presence across the town for a six-week period during the summer, officers will be at Tenby’s train station to meet people travelling to the town by train.

It is hoped the move, named Operation Lion, will discourage heavy drinking among parties and groups heading into the town centre.

It was in 1999 when men’s magazine Maxim named Tenby as the world’s second best location for stag parties, and busloads of youngsters of both sexes started to invade the town.

As a result, Tenby, traditionally favoured by families and surrounded by an imposing 13th century fortress wall, experienced a six-fold increase in population at the weekends.

Speaking to The Herald, Inspector Mark McSweeney said: “I want to ensure that Tenby is a safe place for residents and visitors to enjoy. However, members of the public must also take responsibility for their own actions and take measures to stay safe and not commit offences.

“Whilst there is not a big problem with alcohol related violence, I know that as the town centre gets busier during the summer the number of incidents increases.

“During July and August we always have extra officers on a Saturday and Sunday nights as Tenby is a popular beach resort and popular with groups of people visiting the town.

“However I am aware that over the last two Saturdays in particular, there have been issues with anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol during the day as well, especially by large groups of people. To address these problems I am now going to have extra designated Police Constables on duty during the day until the end of August. These designated constables will walk the streets of Tenby during the day and deal with any anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol.

“Officers will also be at the Railway Station to meet people travelling by train to Tenby. The officers will engage with the visitors and provide the appropriate advice to stay safe and out of trouble while they are in Tenby”

“I have met with both licensees and the licensing authority to make sure that the messages get to all the right places.”

“I would also like to encourage local people to contact police if they are concerned about anti-social behaviour activity and assure the public that I am monitoring all reports.

“I want to encourage people to come to the town centre as it is a lively and vibrant place to be. We must consider the needs of our residents, shop keepers and visitors – especially those with young families and the elderly. I also want to remind people to think about the consequences of consuming too much alcohol and the decisions they make that could result in putting themselves in positions where they become vulnerable, or they drink so much it results in them committing crimes on other people and, potentially, ending up with a prison sentence.”

Community

Stix Noodle Bar in Haverfordwest rewards visitors who park and shop local

Published

2 hours ago

May 18, 2026

Cerys Lafferty

A POPULAR restaurant is taking on one of the town centre’s biggest frustrations with a new initiative designed to ease parking stress and encourage more visitors into the heart of the community.

Stix Noodle Bar has announced a new scheme offering customers money off their bill when they show proof of paid parking in the town.

Under the initiative, diners who present an active parking ticket or parking app booking will receive the equivalent cost of one hour’s parking deducted from their meal bill.

The business says the idea was created in response to ongoing concerns about local parking pressures, while also supporting neighbouring independent traders and encouraging more people to spend time in the town centre.

In a statement released alongside the launch, the restaurant said: “Tired of Haverfordwest’s parking stress? So are we. That’s why we’re doing something about it.”

The team behind the noodle bar is encouraging visitors to “park up, come in, eat well, then go explore some of the brilliant businesses right on our doorstep,” adding that “Haverfordwest is worth stopping for.”

The scheme has already received support from local representatives, including Reform Councillor, Scott Thorley, who praised the move as a practical way to support the town centre economy.

“This is an excellent idea,” he said. “Tackling parking stress while boosting local businesses and footfall in Haverfordwest — this is exactly the practical support our town centre needs.”

Community

Pembrokeshire named UK’s most photographed coastal national park

Published

2 hours ago

May 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

County’s coastline places sixth in UK-wide photo study

PEMBROKESHIRE has been named the most photographed coastal national park in the UK, according to new data from photo curation app Popsa.

The study, which analysed metadata from millions of customer photos uploaded in 2025, ranked Pembrokeshire Coast National Park sixth overall out of the UK’s 15 national parks.

It was the highest-ranked coastal park in the list, ahead of destinations including the Cairngorms, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, the Yorkshire Dales and Dartmoor.

Popsa gave Pembrokeshire a Photo Index Score of 28, representing 5.76% of all UK national park photography included in the study.

The company said the county’s 186-mile coastline, with its limestone arches, sea stacks, beaches and hidden coves, offered “photographic variety that few parks can match”.

Barafundle Bay was highlighted as one of the most photographed locations, particularly at low tide, while Skomer Island was noted for its puffin colonies, which attract photographers between April and July.

Wales performed strongly overall, with all three national parks appearing in the UK top ten. Eryri, formerly Snowdonia, ranked fifth, Pembrokeshire sixth, and Bannau Brycheiniog, formerly the Brecon Beacons, tenth.

Together, the three Welsh parks accounted for 16.46% of all UK national park photography in the study.

The Lake District topped the list, followed by the South Downs, the Peak District and the New Forest.

Popsa CEO Liam Houghton said: “Wales has three genuinely world-class national parks and this data shows they are clearly on photographers’ radar.

“But there’s a real gap between the quality of the landscapes and the volume of photos being taken there compared to the English parks.”

The findings suggest Pembrokeshire remains one of the UK’s standout destinations for landscape, wildlife and coastal photography, while also underlining the continued importance of the national park to the county’s tourism economy.

Crime

Pembroke woman accused of scrap fraud to appear in court

Published

2 hours ago

May 18, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant accused of dishonestly selling vehicle for scrap in Haverfordwest

A PEMBROKE woman is due to appear before magistrates charged with fraud after allegedly selling a vehicle for scrap in Haverfordwest.

Natalie Morris, aged 42, of Corston Lodge, Axton Hill, is accused of fraud by false representation under the Fraud Act 2006.

The allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place in Haverfordwest on Tuesday (Aug 9), 2022, in which Morris allegedly dishonestly made a false representation by selling a silver Toyota Corolla, registration CU52 XBR, for scrap.

The court heard the alleged offence was carried out with the intention of making a financial gain of £313.

The case was listed before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (May 18), where a previously issued warrant was withdrawn.

No plea was entered and the matter was adjourned.

Morris is now due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court at 10:00am on Tuesday (May 26) for a plea hearing, where she will be asked to enter a guilty or not guilty plea.