News

Pembroke Dock: Emergency services in port terror drill

Published

10 years ago

January 7, 2016

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Exercise: Police at Pembroke Port on Jan 7 (Pic: M Hillen/Herald)

The drill follows two front page stories in The Herald which exposed that there were weaknesses in security at local ports.

A police spokesman told The Herald: “The emergency services are testing key elements of policing and partner response plans to a major security threat.

“There will be a visible increase in the number of emergency services personnel in the Pembroke Dock Port area.

“The exercise will include representatives from all the emergency services and from commercial and maritime services.

“This is the last of three pre-planned exercises to be held in the area. There is no cause for alarm and members of the public can continue with their everyday business in the normal manner.

“The exercise will have no impact on day to day policing.”

The Herald revealed towards the end of last year that even serving police officers were concerned about the level of security at Pembrokeshire’s ports.

In a 30-minute phone call with one Dyfed-Powys officer, whose name and rank we did not disclose, this newspaper was told that he and many of his colleagues are extremely worried about cutbacks in the policing of ports.

The phone call came following the first front page story, in November, about the Paris terror attacks leading to concerns over port security.

In a move, which seems extraordinary in the wake of the increased threat of terrorism to the United Kingdom from ISIL (Islamic State), Dyfed-Powys Police will be pressing ahead, the officer said, with axing the post of ten special branch officers from within the Wales Extremism and Counter-Terrorism Unit (WECTU) covering Pembroke and Fishguard ports.

“We are worried that a terrorist will be able to get on a ferry in Cherbourg in France, change in Rosslare and then enter the United Kingdom without any proper checks.”

“Cuts are already starting and will be fully implemented within the next three years.

“Even senior managers are worried. I think the public need to know how crazy this situation is.

“How would we stop person getting on a ferry with a Kalashnikov causing an incident out at sea? Proper checks need to be made.”

Our police source told us: “The simple fact is that with the reductions planned we will no longer be able to be at every sailing, and people coming into the UK will no longer be checked.”

Speaking in November, a spokesperson for South Wales Police which leads the WECTU team told The Herald: “Counter terrorism policing has well established and extremely effective mechanisms for protecting the public. However, we recognise that as terrorists create a wider range of global, local and virtual threats, CT policing must also adapt and have the flexibility to meet these new challenges.

“A comprehensive national programme to help improve how we use counter terrorism policing resources to protect the public has been underway for two years. We are identifying how we can use resources more effectively, enhance working practices, and continuously improve our infrastructure across the country.

“These measures will ensure that CT policing has the flexibility to prioritise its resources in the places where there is the greatest threat and risk, while maintaining our capacity to tackle terrorism across all parts of the UK.

“Addressing the financial challenges is an ongoing process for policing across Wales. The national UK terrorism threat level is continuously reviewed and this will form part of our response to demand management.

“In addition, WECTU does not discuss operational matters due to national security.”

On land and on sea: Ribs were part of the exercise

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

12 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.