News
Milford Haven: ‘Unexploded bomb’ at Costa Coffee site
POLICE in Milford Haven have sealed off the Costa Coffee Drive Thru site after builders working there found what they believe is an unexploded bomb World War II this morning (Sept 11).
Emergency services arrived at the scene at around 11.00am, and shortly afterwards construction workers showed photographs which they had taken of the suspected unexploded ordinance to officers.
Police sealed off the pavement nearest the site, but allowed traffic to flow along the A4076, near the Tesco roundabout as they deemed it was safe.
An official from Milford Haven Port Authority, which owns the site, was on hand to assist police with their operation.
A spokesperson from the Port of Milford Haven said: “We have been informed by contractors working at the Costa Coffee site that they have uncovered a suspicious looking object which they believe to be an unexploded World War ordnance device, although this has not yet been confirmed.
“The contractors contacted the police who have arrived on site and are directing public away from the nearby footpath as a precaution until the identity of the object can be confirmed.
“We understand that the object uncovered this morning at the Costa Coffee site is believed to be a World War Two Ordnance Device. Dyfed Powys Police have advised us that the Bomb Disposal Unit are on route.”
A police spokesperson added: “Dyfed-Powys Police was called to a building site on Victoria Road at Milford Haven Docks following the discovery of a suspected unexploded bomb at around 11am this morning (September 11).
“Experts from the Bomb Disposal Unit are en route to safely dispose of the item, which is believed to be an Ordnance Spigot Mortar.”
50 raids in Milford’s history
During the Second World War, Milford Haven housed roughly 1,000 American military personnel.
They manned an amphibious base which included a hospital built in Hakin and a docks complex at Newton Noyes, and activity was focused on mine sweeping of the Haven, which was subject to aircraft attack on 50 occasions.
The town itself avoided serious damage as bombs were seldom dropped on land, despite being home to a large fish market, flax factory, mines depot and housing the previously mentioned military personnel.
Yet some incidents did occur, and in the summer of 1941 a bomb fell in fields near Priory Road, and later that same year, a bomb damaged a house in Brooke Avenue. There were no casualties in either incident.
August 1941 saw the Meades Farm hit in an unsuccessful attack on Air Ministry underground petroleum tanks in Priory Pill, which resulted in non-fatal injuries.
In June 2012, Bomb disposal experts have carried out a controlled explosion on a German Second World War mine found by a diver on the bed of Milford Haven waterway just off Watwick Point, near Dale.
Just one month later, Navy bomb disposal officers were once more called to Milford Haven after environmental research divers found an unexploded 250kg bomb less than a mile from the port’s LNG Dragon terminal.
A spokesman for the Milford Haven Port Authority said at the time that in one of the world’s deepest natural harbours, the ordinance did not pose a danger to the gas works.
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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