News
Multi-agency terrorist exercise to take place across south Wales
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.”
Business
First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead
THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.
The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.
A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.
The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.
Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.
“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”
The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.
Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.
The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.
A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.
Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.
Photo: Martin Cavaney
Crime
Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood
A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.
SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST
Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.
The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.
COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION
Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.
Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.
She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.
The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.
Local Government
Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works
Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure
SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.
County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.
“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.
Urgent works underway
Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.
Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.
Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.
Further updates are expected later this week.
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