Crime

Over £1m spent by police on Stradey Park Hotel asylum seeker protests

Published

3 months ago

February 1, 2024

DYFED-POWYS POLICE spent over £1 million in response to protests at Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, which was designated to accommodate over 200 asylum seekers.

The revelation came following a Freedom of Information request by BBC Wales.

The protests, which began in early July last year, escalated to the point where fires were set near the site, leading to approximately 40 arrests between mid-August and early October. The Home Office later cancelled the contentious plans to use the hotel for asylum seekers in October.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn disclosed that the situation not only incurred substantial financial costs for the force but also strained its relationship with the local community. Mr. Llywelyn had urged the Home Office to reverse the plans as “a matter of urgency”.

***Dafydd Llywelyn: Police and Crime Commissioner***

The hotel was initially selected to house up to 241 people under UK government plans aimed at reducing asylum costs. However, the proposal faced significant opposition due to concerns about suitability and lack of information, as expressed by local residents, authorities, and politicians.

Following the announcement, protests intensified outside the hotel, with demonstrators setting up a base near the site. Labour councillor Martyn Palfreman described the episode as an unforeseen and tense period in the area’s history, marked by anxiety and intense community reaction.

Dyfed-Powys Police’s Superintendent Ross Evans, commenting on the situation in October, condemned the extreme behaviour displayed by some protesters, which he deemed exceeded the bounds of lawful protest.

Originally, Mr. Llywelyn had sought a £300,000 reimbursement for the policing costs of the protest. However, the final figure, exceeding £1.165 million, is threefold higher than anticipated. Mr. Llywelyn expressed his lack of surprise at this figure, attributing it to operational and organisational pressures, including Operation Cambrian, which was specifically established in response to the Stradey Park Hotel protests.

Throughout the protests, Mr. Llywelyn consistently communicated with the Home Secretary, voicing concerns about the escalating tensions and urging a re-evaluation of the hotel’s use.

Dame Nia Griffith, Labour MP for Llanelli, criticised the entire undertaking, labeling the plans a complete disaster brought about by incompetence and disregard for local sentiments. She condemned the excessive police expenditure on the protests, arguing that these funds would have been better allocated to enhancing frontline policing and community safety.

Former racial equality commissioner Aled Edwards emphasised the importance of learning from this episode, praising the integrity of the police force in handling the situation. He also highlighted the success of other refugee schemes in Wales, such as those for Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.

A Home Office spokesperson responded by highlighting ongoing efforts to move asylum seekers out of hotels, a measure currently costing UK taxpayers £8.2 million a day. They assured that the government is committed to equipping the police with necessary resources, confirming a total police funding settlement of up to £18.4 billion for 2024-25, including £148.0 million for Dyfed-Powys Police. The spokesperson added that the allocation of funding and resources remains under the jurisdiction of individual police and crime commissioners.

Crime

Haverfordwest man faces drug charges in Crown Court

Published

19 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A 23-YEAR-OLD man from Haverfordwest has been formally charged with multiple drug-related offences, including the possession and intent to supply cocaine, MDMA, and cannabis. Owen Maddocks, residing at Hywel Road, will soon make a court appearance at Swansea Crown Court to respond to the charges.

Maddocks stands accused of possessing cocaine with intent to supply on April 5 and similarly for MDMA on June 15 of the previous year. On the same dates, he also allegedly intended to supply cannabis, leading to additional charges.

Furthermore, the allegations against Maddocks include the possession of criminal property, specifically £4,905 in cash, which was seized on June 15.

After appearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on May 3, Maddocks was granted bail. He is scheduled to appear at Swansea Crown Court on May 10, where he will enter his pleas.

Crime

Father jailed for assaulting daughter during work trip

Published

2 days ago

May 8, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A FATHER has been imprisoned after he assaulted his 19-year-old daughter during a business trip in Tenby. Nathan Smith, 41, of Salcot Crescent, Croydon, was staying with his daughter, Shania Smith, at Penally Manor near Christmas.

The incident occurred around 2 pm on Sunday, December 17, when, according to the prosecutor Regan Walters, an altercation broke out between the two. Ms Smith confided in a colleague that she was being annoyed by her father. Mr. Walters stated that Mr. Smith overheard the conversation and summoned his daughter to his room to discuss her comments.

During the confrontation, Ms Smith insisted she was not disrespecting her father, who then physically assaulted her. “The defendant grabbed her by the neck using both hands,” Mr. Walters explained, noting that she could still breathe. The altercation escalated as Mr. Smith pushed his daughter against a wall and dragged her back into the room when she tried to leave.

Colleagues intervened after hearing the commotion, and although Ms Smith attempted to contact the police, she was unable to due to a lack of signal. Authorities arrived approximately four hours later.

In a statement to the court, Ms Smith expressed her disillusionment with her father’s actions, stating, “I felt so let down” and “I just don’t feel safe.”

Mr. Smith, who has a history of seven previous convictions involving 15 offences, admitted to assault occasioning actual bodily harm but denied a charge of strangulation. His plea was accepted by the prosecution.

Defence solicitor James McKenna described the incident as spontaneous and impulsive, saying, “This is a situation that should have never ever occurred. He is appalled by it.”

The court sentenced Mr. Smith to 14 months in prison and issued a three-year restraining order to protect his daughter, underscoring the severity of the familial breach.

Crime

Four-figure fine because of four-legged friends

Published

2 days ago

May 8, 2024

Court Reporter

A PACK of dogs which bark persistently in a Pembrokeshire residential area have resulted in a four-figure fine for their owner.

“The lady living in the property beneath has been concerned about the noise for some considerable time,” said solicitor Jill Davies, prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council. “Sometimes the dogs can be heard barking at two, three and even four o’clock in the morning,”

As a result, noise abatement notices were served on Catherine Jones, 51, of Northfield Terrace, Robseston Wathen, following numerous visits by Pembrokeshire County Council’s enforcement officers, RSPCA officers and police officers. But despite the notices, Catherine Jones’s dogs continued to bark.

“The noise abatement notices were served as a result of at least five dogs, possibly as many as seven, barking in a domestic local authority property,” continued Jill Davies.

Last week Jones was found guilty in her absence by Haverfordwest magistrates of five charges of failing to comply with a noise abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act and three charges of failing to comply with a community protection notice.

This Tuesday, May 7, the matter was brought back to Haverfordwest Magistrates Court for sentencing; once again Catherine Jones failed to attend.

Jones was ordered to pay a total of £1,640, comprising a £440 fine and £1,200 prosecution costs to Pembrokeshire County Council. An application by the local authority for a criminal behaviour order to be served against Jones was declined by magistrates.