News
Newgale beach clean a big success
A SCHEME encouraging visitors to keep Newgale beach clean is proving a success.
The West Wales beauty spot became the first beach in Wales to sign up to the National #2MinuteBeachClean campaign with the help of an enthusiastic volunteer, Pembrokeshire County Council and Keep Wales Tidy.
Leisure seekers on the two mile stretch of sand can collect rubbish as they go with the use of a litter picker and plastic bags made available through a special board that dispenses them to passersby.
Paul Hill, a Team Co-ordinator with Portfield S.A.C. and a daily user of the beach set it up after hearing about the scheme through his love of the sea.
“Being an avid surfer and beach user you become more aware of the ocean environment and the first thing I started to notice was the amount of plastic appearing on our beaches which is having a devastating effect on marine life and even getting into the human food chain.
“After every surf, I would pick up whatever I could manage on the way back to the car park.
“I manage and run West Coast Surf Wax and through this I became aware of #2minutebeachclean.
“I asked if we could have a board for our beach and they gave us one to try and so I put it out and bring it back in each day and finance the bags and litter pickers needed.”
Since the board was first put in place close to the Pebbles cafe on the south side of the beach, over 20 bags are put in the dispenser daily and they’re all being used.
Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, Councillor Huw George hopes the popularity of the board at Newgale will encourage others to operate the scheme at a beach close to them.
“A little bit can go a long way to ensure a beach is kept litter free and a two minute clean can do wonders.
“Pembrokeshire County Council supports the scheme by replacing lost pickers and collecting what’s picked and I’d encourage volunteers and sponsors to come forward and start their own #2minute scheme to ensure a clean and tidy environment for locals and visitors across all of the County’s beaches.”
Senior Project Officer with Keep Wales Tidy, Zoe Abbott says what may seem like an insignificant gesture creates a sum much larger than its parts.
“Keep Wales Tidy are delighted that the #2minutebeachclean board has been championed in Wales by a Pembrokeshire business. The #2minutebeachclean offers an easy way of helping our environment one piece of litter at time.
“Whilst an individual effort may seem insignificant, collectively it makes a big difference to one of our most precious assets. We would love to hear from you if you would like to adopt a beach board in your area.”
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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