News
Council highlight postal scams
THOUSANDS of people fall victim to postal scams in the UK every day – make sure you’re not one of them.
That’s the message from Trading Standards at Pembrokeshire County Council.
The Council is giving advice to local residents about postal or mail scams as part of Scams Awareness Month.
Nigel Watts, Trading Standards Manager, said:
“What starts as an initial reply to one letter may result in being bombarded with a host of different scams, all ultimately trying to defraud you.
“Some victims succumb to a downward spiral, resulting in financial and emotional detriment.
“You may receive a letter stating you’ve won a lottery, such as the postcode or a foreign lottery. Have you even entered it? If you haven’t then you know it is a scam. With many genuine foreign lotteries, you have to be in the country to actually buy a ticket in the first instance!”
He said that to claim your winnings, the scam mail will ask you to pay a fee.
“Genuine lotteries will not ask you to do this. Often, if you do send off the fee, you will be asked to pay more money and so it will go on. You will not receive any winnings.”
Sandra McSparron, Senior Trading Standards Officer, said some scam mail will say you have won entry into a prize draw for a substantial amount of money or a desirable prize. But, she warned, in those cases, you are required to place an order from their overpriced catalogue first.
“Others may require you to phone a premium rate number where the call lasts several minutes and costs more than the prize you actually win,” she said.
“Some scam mail claim to be from clairvoyants using intimidating tactics, claiming bad luck or ill health will result unless you pay them money.”
“Other mail may offer a ‘free’ trial of a health product such as a cream or a vitamin supplement. Often, unless you cancel the item within the specified period you have inadvertently agreed to receive regular deliveries that are no longer free.”
If you want to report a scam or get some advice, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service Helpline on 0345 404 0506. The Welsh Language Line is available on 0345 404 0505.
Top Tips
• If you haven’t entered a lottery then you cannot win
• Never send money to claim a prize or winnings
• Never agree to any medicines or treatments without speaking to your own healthcare professional
• Sign up to the Mail Preference Service (MPS) to reduce marketing letters
• Phone 0345 703 4599 or register online at www.mpsonline.org.uk
Crime
Police appeal for information after several tractors stolen
POLICE officers in Pembrokeshire investigating a theft from several tractors, which happened overnight between April 17-18, 2024.
The tractors had been in a field near to Loch Turfin, Haverfordwest.
Included in the stolen items were vehicle keys, tools and waterproof clothing.
A spokesperson said “Police are now appealing for anyone with information that could help them with their investigation to contact PC 772 Boyt either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 101.
“Quote reference: 24*355571”
Community
Pembrokeshire firefighters help deliver fire engines to Ukraine
FIRE services from across the United Kingdom have rallied together to donate vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, amidst ongoing conflicts that have seen local fire stations and firefighters come under direct attack.
The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) was at the forefront of this international goodwill effort, donating three fire appliances and dispatching nine of their personnel to ensure safe delivery.
The initiative, coordinated by Fire Aid UK, involved a total of 11 UK fire services. Over a grueling 5.5-day journey that spanned several countries—starting from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and moving through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and into Poland—33 fire appliances were transported to a location just 20 miles from the Ukraine border. They left Kent on April 23.
This convoy, laden with not just fire engines but also 3000 items of critical firefighting gear including cutting equipment, fire hoses, first aid kits, and generators, was a sight of resilience and humanitarian commitment. Watch Manager Rob MakePeace, a Business Fire Safety Officer, and Watch Manager Keith Jenkins, who is retired but still oversees part-time personnel at Haverfordwest, played pivotal roles in the operation from Pembrokeshire.
Speaking on the experience, Keith Jenkins expressed the profound impact of the mission, “It was a fantastic experience to be involved in. The convoy itself was an amazing sight, but the people we met, places we stayed and the reason we were delivering the appliances was something we will remember for a long time.”
The donation comes at a critical time for Ukraine, where daily attacks have not only jeopardized the lives of local firefighters but have also devastated much of the essential infrastructure needed to fight fires effectively. The additional appliances and equipment from the UK are expected to significantly bolster the capabilities of the Ukrainian fire departments, providing them with the necessary tools to save lives and protect property under dire circumstances.
This act of generosity and the strenuous efforts by the UK firefighters underscore a deep commitment to aiding those in peril, transcending borders and showcasing the best of international cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
News
Protest outside Stephen Crabb’s office over Rwanda deportations
SUPPORTERS of West Wales Stand Up to Racism group will attend a protest outside the office of Stephen Crabb MP in Market Street at 6pm on Tuesday evening (May 7).
The protest is to highlight the inhumane scheme to send refugees to Rwanda.
Since the Rwanda Bill was finally passed last week, refugees have already been identified, detained and are being prepared to be flown to Rwanda to have their asylum claims processed there.
Rushi Sunak has said “To detain people while we prepare to remove them, we’ve increased detention spaces to 2,200.
“To quickly process claims, we’ve got 200 trained, dedicated caseworkers ready and waiting. To deal with any legal cases quickly and decisively, the judiciary has made available 25 courtrooms and identified 150 judges who could provide over 5,000 sitting days.”
The protestors are asking: why is all this money being spent when these vulnerable people could have their asylum claims dealt with in the UK?
If the Prime Minister hoped his Rwanda plan would help get more votes for the Conservative Party in the recent elections, it would appear he was mistaken.
A new report from the Refugee Council warns that the UK Government’s flagship Illegal Migration Act and Rwanda Plan will lead to another catastrophic “system meltdown”, trapping over 100,000 people in permanent limbo while costing taxpayers billions.
West Wales Stand Up to Racism has campaigned against the Government’s plan to send refugees to Rwanda from the time this scheme was first suggested.
Supporters have previously met with Simon Hart MP and attempted to deliver a giant postcard to his office.
The group has taken part in the online Hands in Protest project organised by Artisan Avenue, Tenby which allowed everyone to express on line how they felt about Rwanda by submitting drawings of their own hands. The collective Hands In Protest gives a powerful message that the Rwanda plan should be stopped.
The organisers said: “Supporters will be once more taking the giant postcard on Tuesday, to protest about the Rwanda scheme. We will have small post cards for supporters to write messages to Stephen Crabb, telling him how strongly we feel about this.
“All over the UK, anti-racists are picketing Home Office buildings to show their opposition to the Rwanda scheme and are trying to prevent arrests and giving support to the refugees being arrested and detained.
“West Wales Stand Up to Racism supporters want to make their voices heard too.”
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