News
Latest phase of Welsh seabirds count completed
THE LATEST phase of the massive effort to count all seabirds along the Welsh coast has just been completed.
Over the last month, Natural Resources Wales’s (NRW) counts focused on the Anglesey coast and Llyn peninsula.
The seabirds count started last year.
It will be completed next year when the last pieces in the jigsaw are filled, with seabird counts in South Wales.
The information will feed into the latest census of Britain and Ireland’s breeding seabirds – a programme that started 45 years ago to identify long-term trends in seabird populations.
Having accurate evidence means that NRW can provide the best possible advice on the marine environment and issues that could affect it.
Matty Murphy, NRW’s Senior Maritime Ornithologist said: “Protecting wildlife is fundamental to our aims as an organisation.
“Gathering this information is really important to assess long-term trends in our seabirds and the biodiversity they rely on.
“Already this year we’ve recorded local changes including the disappearance of a colony of 500 kittiwakes on the east coast of Anglesey, and a doubling of guillemots from 2,500 to 5,000 on Middle Mouse, an island off north Anglesey.”
Since 2000, auk species have increased, with guillemot, razorbill and puffin increasing by 69 percent, 80 percent and 62 percent respectively.
However, some of Wales’ most iconic species of seabird have declined: shag by 24 percent, fulmar by 16 percent, lesser black-backed gull by 35 percent and kittiwake by 41 percent.
This census work is being done more efficiently these days, using NRW’s survey boat ‘Pedryn’, which allows monitoring staff to cover a lot of the coast in one day and react quickly to changes in the weather.
Over the years, the programme has also relied on the help of volunteers including staff from RSPB Cymru and local authorities.
The seabird data covering Britain and Ireland, collected by various organisations and groups, are collated by the UK’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee and are available on their Seabird Monitoring Programme database.
The first census, Operation Seafarer, took place in 1969 to 1970, the second The Seabird Colony Register in 1985 to 1988, whilst Seabird 2000 was carried out between 1998 and 2000. The current Seabirds Count started last year and will be completed next year.
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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