News

MP backs Bill which will protect emergency service workers

Published

9 years ago

October 11, 2017

STEPHEN CRABB MP has backed the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill with an open letter explaining his reasons.

The Preseli Pembrokeshire MP says that more must be done to protect those who work tirelessly to protect those in his constituency – and around the country as a whole.

Mr Crabb wrote: “Emergency workers such as the ambulance service, the fire brigade and the police do an outstanding job in putting their lives at risk to ensure our safety. They do this under very difficult circumstances. In recent months, their importance has been highlighted through their excellent response to events such as the Grenfell Tower disaster and the terror attacks.

“Pembrokeshire has one of the lowest crime rates in the UK, thanks to an excellent team of local police officers and PCSOs. Personally, I have had the privilege of accompanying the police on Saturday night shifts in my constituency and have seen and experienced first-hand what they go through, increasing my respect for them all the more.

“Yet for all the risks and difficulties that come with the job of being a police officer, being on the receiving end of assaults by members of the public, the very people they work to protect, should not be one of them. Sadly, this seems to be the case.

“The Police Federation of England and Wales estimates that a police officer is assaulted every four minutes. This is worrying and plainly unacceptable.

“As Calum Macleod, PFEW vice-chair notes, ‘Police officers are people too, and can be broken. They are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters and sons, and none of them deserve to go to work and get assaulted’.

“This is why I am proud to co-sponsor Chris Bryant’s private member’s bill – The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill 2017. The Bill has received cross-party support and seeks to introduce new offences including wounding or assault when perpetrated against an emergency worker (or someone assisting them) in the performance of their duties.

“It further seeks to address situations where those suspected of assault may pose a health risk, including spitting. In this regard, they will be compelled to undergo blood tests. It will also be an offence to refuse to undergo such tests and it will lay down tough sentences for those convicted of these new offences.

“I have had a longstanding interest in policing. I have fought for fairer funding for the local police to ensure that they can work effectively across a large rural area. I have also hosted joint surgeries with PCSOs in some of the major towns in my constituency. Supporting this bill is another way of acting on this interest and standing in solidarity with the police who do an excellent job.

“The subject matter of the bill was the highest in response to Chris’s request for suggestions from the public when he came first in the private member’s bill ballot. The Protect the Protectors campaign, launched by the PFEW, highlights the assaults on police and is aimed at tackling this worrying trend of assault of police officers.

“The campaign seeks better protection for the police through a change in legislation, tougher sentences, better training and access to equipment, more accurate data on police assaults and improved welfare support.

“In addition to our recent increase to their pay, supporting this bill further demonstrates to the public and to our very able police forces that we listen to their concerns and act on them.

“The Conservative party is fully committed to protecting the public and the country’s public services, and supporting this bill is consistent with that aim. This is why I hope that many of my colleagues will support the bill so that it becomes law in order to truly protect those who protect us.”

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after A44 collision near Aberystwyth

Published

11 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been charged following a single-vehicle collision on the A44 near Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened on Tuesday, June 30.

Owen Rhys-Jones, of Dol-y-Bont, Aberystwyth, has been charged with attempted murder, dangerous driving, and controlling and coercive behaviour.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before court.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and are asking anyone who was in the Capel Bangor area at around 8.50pm on Tuesday, June 30, to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed a disturbance in or around Capel Bangor, or who may have phone, video or dashcam footage of the incident.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police through the force’s dedicated online portal.

The force said: “We would like to thank the local community for their support while officers have carried out extensive enquiries, and to those who have supported our investigation so far.”

News

A40 closed near Llandeilo following collision

Published

11 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SECTION of the A40 in Carmarthenshire has been closed in both directions following a collision.

The road is currently shut between Llandeilo and Nantgaredig, with traffic queuing in the area and emergency services attending.

Drivers are being urged to avoid the route where possible, allow extra time for their journeys and follow the diversions in place.

The closure is affecting traffic on the A40 between Carmarthen and Llandeilo, including the area around Pentrefelin and the Castle Dryslwyn turn-off.

This is a developing incident and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Local Government

Award-winning Saundersfoot sauna faces refusal over location concerns

Published

11 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to allow an award-winning outdoor sauna to remain permanently at Saundersfoot Harbour have been recommended for refusal by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners.

Hwyl Outdoor Sauna, run by Kerry Evans, was granted temporary two-year permission in June 2024 for a mobile wood-fired sauna at the harbour.

The business has since become a popular feature with residents, visitors and cold-water swimmers, and was named Sauna of the Year 2026/27 at the Wales Prestige Awards earlier this year.

***Saundersfoot’s cold-water swimmers are sauna regulars. (Image: Hwyl Outdoor Sauna)***

***Hwyl Outdoor Sauna (Image: Hwyl Outdoor Sauna)***

Ms Evans has now applied to make the siting permanent, but officers are recommending refusal when the application goes before the National Park Authority’s development management committee on Tuesday, July 15.

A supporting statement submitted with the application said the sauna had “become a popular and valued amenity for both residents and visitors, offering a space focused on health, wellbeing and community connection”.

It added: “The overall sentiment within the village has been strongly supportive, with many residents recognising the sauna as a valuable asset that enhances the amenities in Saundersfoot.

“Hwyl Outdoor Sauna has received positive attention in regional and national press, helping to promote Saundersfoot as a destination for coastal wellbeing and outdoor experiences.

“Media coverage has highlighted the sauna as an example of the increasing popularity of sea swimming and sauna culture around the UK coastline.”

Saundersfoot Community Council has raised no objection to the application, and most of the 19 letters submitted by members of the public support the proposal.

Supporters have described the sauna as “a major asset to the village,” “a wellness landmark for Saundersfoot,” and “a unique offering that attracts visitors to the beach and harbour”.

However, some objectors have said that while they support permanent consent in principle, they do not believe the sauna should remain in its current position because it “obstructs the view of the beach from the promenade”.

In their report to committee members, National Park officers say the proposal, in its current form and location, would harm the setting of the Saundersfoot Conservation Area.

The report states: “The application, in its current form and with the proposed location of the sauna, is considered to result in a landscape impact that harms the setting of the Saundersfoot Conservation Area.

“The sauna is also located in a position which reduces public access along the existing promenade route, which is considered to prevent appropriate access from being achieved.

“In addition, since the temporary permission was granted, planning advice has been updated and there is now a requirement for a Flood Consequences Assessment in this location. The lack of a suitable Flood Consequences Assessment results in insufficient information to support the current application.”

Officers also note that the latest application includes additional development, including a booking office which has already been installed, meaning the overall scale of the proposal is greater than the scheme approved on a temporary basis in 2024.

The report adds: “Following consideration of the implementation of the temporary permission and given the greater extent of the current proposal, it is considered that the visual impact of the sauna and related booking office has now increased and could be reduced by locating the sauna further back in the car park.

“This would also have the benefit of the sauna not requiring relocation during severe weather and increased flood risk.”

The application is recommended for refusal on the grounds of visual impact, impact on the conservation area, reduced public access along the promenade, and the absence of a suitable Flood Consequences Assessment.

Committee members will make the final decision at the July 15 meeting.