News

Multi-agency terrorist exercise to take place across south Wales

Published

9 years ago

June 28, 2016

stream_img SOUTH WALES and Dyfed Powys Police are jointly hosting a Terrorist response exercise to test the blue light emergency services response to a major terrorist incident.

This multi-agency exercise will be an extensive test and has been in the planning for over 12 months.

The two-day exercise is taking place today (June 28) and tomorrow (June 29) at several locations across south and west Wales and involves South Wales Police, Dyfed Powys Police, Gwent Police, Gloucester Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Home Office and Welsh Government.

It has been scheduled for a year and represents a major element within the National Counter-Terrorism Exercise Programme.

South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Jon Stratford said: “This exercise will test and develop the response of the emergency services and other partners to a major terrorist attack.”

“I want to make it clear that this exercise has been in the planning for over 12 months and is not linked to any specific terror threat. It provides an opportunity to make sure we are in the best position possible, should a terrorist attack happen in southern Wales.”

Residents living near Ffos Las Racecourse, Carmarthen and Llantrisant Common , Llantrisant, will become aware of a large number of Emergency Service Vehicles and are likely to hear loud noises, simulated explosions and “blank” gunfire during exercise on Tuesday 28th June.

The exercise will not affect the day-to-day policing of South Wales and Dyfed Powys and the emergency service response of the other agencies. These will continue as normal.

Dyfed-Powys Police T/Assistant Chief Constable Pam Kelly said: “This is a large-scale safety and security exercise, involving a number of Government agencies, emergency services and others who would be involved in responding to a major incident.”

“I would urge people not to be alarmed by the increased volume of emergency service activity they may see during this period. We have a legal obligation under the Civil Contingencies Act to prepare and practice for a major incident and this enables us to safely test how our processes and structures work together.”

South Wales Fire & Rescue Service Group Manager Brian Thompson said: “This exercise is the culmination of over 12 months planning and build up training that has seen significant investment on developing and operationalising this capability within South Wales Fire & Rescue Service. It will allow us, along with key partners, to test an integrated emergency management response to a major terrorist incident. “

He added: “The exercise will not affect any of our proactive community engagement risk reduction activities or our ability to respond to emergency calls during the exercise.”

Chris Sims, Welsh Ambulance Service Head of Operations – Resilience and Specialist Operations (EPRR)/ National Interagency Liaison Officer (NILO) said: “We are pleased to have the opportunity of taking part in these exercises and be able to test the resilience of the Welsh Ambulance Service should such events occur in reality in Wales.

“It is important that we use the exercises to enhance our preparedness in case of any eventuality, and I’m confident that our staff will be able to respond appropriately to the challenges set before us.

“We would like to reassure the public that the exercises will have no adverse effect on our daily operations.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

10 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.