News
NSPCC emphasises internet safety
AS THE SUMMER holidays begin for schoolchildren across Wales, NSPCC Cymru are highlighting the importance of staying safe online and warning parents of the dangers children can face.
A shocking 1,544 calls to Wales’ two ChildLine bases concerned online safety abuse issues in 2014/15, up from 1,111 in 2013/14.
Recent figures obtained by the NSPCC show that, last year alone, sex offenders used the internet to commit nearly 300 sex crimes against children in Wales.
The NSPCC has a wealth of advice to help parents talk to their children about the risks of cyber bullying, grooming, sexting and sharing information about themselves, and also to keep them updated on what their children are doing online.
Now available for the first time as a free app, the Net Aware parents’ guide lists 50 of the social media sites, apps and games most used by young people. The app, produced by the NSPCC in partnership with O2, is designed to help parents discuss with their children how to socialise safely online.
An NSPCC Cymru spokesman said: “In the long summer months, the online world can provide many benefits for children. It gives them instant access to a world of information, reduces boredom and provides a connection to friends and family.
“However, it is not without risks, and often parents can find it hard to keep track of what their children are doing online.
“With the reduction of the use of desktop computers and the use of portable devices like tablets and smart phones growing steadily, parents may not know what their children are exposed to because they can be in their bedrooms or out of the home.”
To help parents talk to their children about internet safety, the NSPCC has provided the following tips:
1. Take advantage of parental controls
To stop your children seeing harmful or unsuitable content online, you can set up parental controls in their device’s settings.
2. Establish some rules
Set some rules regarding which websites they can visit, how they share images and where and when they can go online.
3. Use websites and apps together
Exploring the same sites your children use can give you a better idea of what they are looking at and allow you to support them.
4. Keep the content age-appropriate
Don’t let your children pressure you into signing them up for sites they are too young for, and make sure the sites they are using are appropriate for their age. Age limits are there to protect your children and shouldn’t be ignored.
5. Be aware of who your child is talking to online. The naive nature of many children means they will often see strangers as ‘online friends’. It’s important that you let them know that people can lie about themselves online, and make sure you know who their online friends are.
6. Make sure they know how to use reporting tools and privacy settings. Remind your children to keep any personal information safe and ensure they know what to do if they see anything that upsets them. Also check the privacy settings of their online accounts, such as Facebook.
7. Have the conversation early and regularly. Start discussing online safety with your children at a young age and keep having the discussion as technology changes when they get older. Don’t overwhelm them with information; ‘little and often’ is key.
For more information about staying safe online, visit www.nspcc.org.uk
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/.
News
Fresh questions over fire that ravaged Manorbier school
A senior Pembrokeshire councillor is to be quizzed on what progress has been made in recouping a £200,000 insurance excess paid by the council following the 2022 fire at a Manorbier school.
Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.
Pupils and staff were successfully evacuated with no injuries, and a “school from school” was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s insurers have previously said the fire was accidentally started while “hot works” were being carried out by contractors to renew an adjacent flat roof, but, as has previously been stressed, no liability had been accepted to date.
Councillors have previously heard the majority of costs were likely to be met from the council’s insurers, with the caveat of the unknown issue of liability and its effect on the £200,000 insurance excess.
A submitted question, by Councillor Aled Thomas, to be heard at the full council meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council on May 9, will ask Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham “to update the chamber on what progress the Cabinet have made in recouping the £200,000 insurance excess paid following the devastating non-fault fire at Manorbier school”.
Councillors have previously been told by Cllr Woodham: “The legal issues are not straightforward but will be robustly taken forward.
“At this stage it’s still subject to legal discussion. The excess will be covered by a fund the council holds for insurance excess.”
He said that, if liability was found or accepted, the council would “pursue for the full maximum claim of the costs associated with the fire”.
Crime
Dafydd Llywelyn retains his post as our local commissioner
THE result of the election for the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner election has been declared.
Plaid’s Dafydd Llywelyn retains his role as commissioner. He has held the role since 2016.
The result of the election is as follows:
- Justin Mark Griffiths (Lib Dem) 7,719
- Ian Harrison 19,134 (Con)
- Dafydd Llywelyn 31,323 (Plaid)
- Philippa Thompson (Lab) 18,353
Before the election, Dafydd Llywelyn promised: “As your current Commissioner, operational, front-line policing has, and always will come before party politics. I have a strong track record of delivering on my promises and of listening to the communities of Dyfed Powys. I am proud of what I have achieved since 2016, but there is still so much to do.
“I am an approachable individual and I believe in listening to all members of the community in order to shape a successful police force.
“Since 2016, I have increased resources whilst also retaining the lowest council tax levels in Wales. During that time, we’ve seen:
150 more Police Officers;
- 150 more Police Staff;
- A CCTV system that is monitored 24/7 by police staff;
- A dedicated rural crime team;
- A focus on county lines drug dealing to target organised crime;
- Investment in Youth Offending Teams to divert young people away from crime;
- A new Offender Diversionary Scheme to reduce re-offending.
If re – elected:
- I will safeguard Neighbourhood Policing resources retaining a visible local policing presence;
- I will invest in the Communications Centre to ensure an accessible service;
- I will continue to put the victim at the heart of the service and develop a truly victim led service;
- I will work with operational staff to keep local police stations open;
- I will invest in a new and refreshed School Police programme to deliver early intervention and preventative work;
- I will prioritise working in partnership with organisations and agencies to safeguard the most vulnerable in society.
“Your safety is my top priority. I want to ensure that the Dyfed Powys Police Force remains one of the safest places to live in Wales and England.”
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