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Milford Haven: Five people arrested for modern day slavery

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A GROUP of five people have been arrested in Milford Haven this morning (May 17) in relation to modern day slavery.

The persons were arrested on gangmaster offences in a joint operation between Dyfed-Powys Police, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

Today is Dyfed-Powys Police’s Force Day of Action, which has a focus on tackling individuals and groups who take advantage of those who are most vulnerable to exploitation.

A police spokesperson said: “Police in Milford Haven have this morning executed warrants at addresses in Milford Haven linked to modern day slavery. This is a multi-agency operation between Dyfed-Powys Police, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and Pembrokeshire County Council.

“As a result of the warrants, 5 people have been arrested on suspicion of gangmaster offences, and have been conveyed to police custody.”

Superintendent Ian John, BCU Commander for Pembrokeshire and force lead on today’s activity, said: “Abuse of the most vulnerable more often than not takes place behind closed doors or in dark corners.  Today is about shining a light on those spaces and raising awareness of the tell-tale signs.

“We are running multiagency operations across the force to raise awareness of the signs that might suggest someone is being exploited and, are confronting head on those who are known to be offending.

“If you know about it, report it.  The exploitation of the most vulnerable cannot be tackled by us and our partners alone.  Our communities have a big part to play in this.

“We police the safest towns and villages across England and Wales, but we know that that means little to those who are living with the misery, torment and pain of criminal exploitation day-in day-out.  We need to hear from you if you are suffering.  We also need you to tell us if you suspect that others are being taken advantage of.”

There are a number of signs that can help identify victims of trafficking:

  • Not having a passport or other means of identification
  • They are withdrawn and refuse to talk to, or appear afraid to talk, a person in authority
  • They are unable, or reluctant to give details of accommodation or other personal details
  • They work in various locations
  • Having limited freedom of movement
  • They perform excessive housework chores and rarely leaves the residence
  • They have low or no salary or are permanently deprived of a large part of their earnings by another person
  • Being escorted whenever they go and or return from work and other activities
  • They work long hours or have few/no days off
  • They sleep where they work
  • They have no privacy, sleeping in shared and over-crowded spaces
  • Security measures are in place to keep them at the work place, for example locked doors and windows
  • They are not dressed properly for the work they do, for example they don’t have protective equipment or warm clothes.

If you suspect slavery is happening near you please report it to police on 101, in an emergency always dial 999 or call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 012 1700.

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Rugby Weekly – Tenby’s promotion push continues

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It’s crunch time for all rugby clubs around the county, whether promotion is their aim or fighting relegation or even just trying to improve their league position, it’s now or never. 

Last weekend saw an important win for Fishguard in division two west which should put any relegation fears to bed completely. James Griffiths added an impressive 18 points for the Seagulls as they defeated Nantgaredig 33-19. 

Elsewhere in the second division, Milford were beaten 32-8 by a good Lampeter outfit. The Mariners are still a little too close for comfort with the drop zone but should have enough quality to see them safe. 

At the other end of the table Tenby sit in second place and have played fewer games than leaders St Clears and third place Lampeter. They won impressively again last weekend, beating Pontyberem 64-19 at Haywood Lane. Fletcher Broadhurst impressed with two tries as did Hywel Baker who also grabbed himself a brace. Another excellent performance in an outstanding season so far in which promotion would be the absolute icing on the cake. 

In Division Three West, Pembroke were well beaten by Laugharne 74-15 in which the outstanding Liam Price and Nico Setaro both crossed the whitewash 4 teams a piece. The latter also added 7 successful conversions. 

There was a local derby at Pill Parks where Llangwm hosted Pembroke Dock Quins and it was an exciting clash. The visitors won narrowly 28-23, Craig Barnett and Gethin Bradney both scored two tries for the Quins. The Wasps battled hard and will be proud of their performance, Gethin Thomas impressed for the hosts with two tries of his own but it wasn’t enough to secure the points. 

St David’s hosted the high flying Cardigan outfit and were unable to score in reply to the visitors 20 points, with it ending 20-0. The Saints however won’t be losing too much sleep over it as they have had a great season so far. 

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Stephen Crabb leads inquiry on retaining community bank services  

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PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP, and Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee Stephen Crabb is leading an inquiry in Parliament that will investigate the closure of high street banks in Wales, as well as access to cash.

In November 2023, Pembrokeshire saw the closure of Lloyds Bank in St Davids, and in the coming months both Barclays Bank and Halifax in Haverfordwest are set to close. In recent years, Wales has experienced a rapid decline in the number of high street banking services available to the public. Already in 2024, 23 high street bank closures have been announced in Wales, while automated teller machines (ATMs) declined by nearly a quarter between 2018 and 2023.

The Committee willconsider how declining high street banking services are impacting vulnerable people and small businesses across Wales, who are often more reliant on cash than digital banking. It will also examine how Wales is being affected by the loss of high street bank services, and whether the problem is worse in Wales than other parts of the UK.

Mr Crabb is a staunch advocate for retaining community banking facilities, especially in rural communities like Pembrokeshire where many local branches remain the only source of face-to-face banking provision for miles.

Recently Mr Crabb challenged Barclays Bank senior management on their decision to close the bank branch in Haverfordwest– a move that will see Barclays not only pull out of the county town, but means they won’t have a branch left anywhere in Pembrokeshire. He has also engaged with LINK – the UK’s largest cash machine network – and continues to campaign on the basis that a Banking Hub is established and that ATM machines should be retained or installed, especially in areas worst affected by the closures.  

Following the launch of the inquiry, MP Crabb added: “It is really sad to see so many banks across Wales closing as online banking grows in popularity. Despite the advantages of online banking, for a rural community with an ageing population like Pembrokeshire, bank branches hold huge importance as they offer face-to-face customer service.”

“I am acutely aware of the inconvenience that the bank closures locally have already caused following hundreds of replies from constituents to my ‘online banking survey’ ”

“I am looking forward to gathering further evidence on this subject through the committee’s inquiry, and will continue to put pressure on the relevant stakeholders to ensure that adequate alternative provisions are made through the establishment of banking hubs as well as the instalment of ATM machines where necessary.”

“In this inquiry, we are particularly keen to hear from those likely to be directly affected by the shift away from cash and physical banks. I encourage anyone with first-hand experience of losing banking services to give evidence to the Committee”

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Trains resume between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock as works end

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TRAIN services resumed this morning (Thursday 28 March) after ten days of essential round-the-clock work to upgrade track and drainage between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock.

The railway was closed from Monday 18 March to Wednesday 27 March to allow Network Rail teams to replace more than 200 metres of track and 300 tonnes of ballast (track stones) between Pembroke station and Pembroke Dock.

Work to improve the drainage between Narbeth and Kilgetty stations was also completed at the same time.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “This essential work in Pembrokeshire demonstrates our commitment to improving the reliability of the service we provide to passengers along our route.

“We know that replacing the track can be disruptive and very noisy, so I would like to thank the residents of Pembroke for their patience while our team carried out this crucial work.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said: “We’re pleased that our colleagues in Network Rail have completed this essential work and that Transport for Wales rail services resumed today.

“We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this work has progressed and look forward to welcoming passengers back in time for the Easter weekend.”

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