Police statement on enforcing lockdown rules

On behalf of the four Welsh Police Forces, Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Harrison, North Wales Police said: “As we move into a critical stage of the virus progression, policing across Wales will continue to support the Welsh Government to help limit the spread of the virus.   

“We absolutely recognise the great strain on people and the sacrifices that we are all making to get through this difficult time. Throughout the pandemic we’ve worked closely with our partners to ensure that measures are in place to help communities and prevent the spread of COVID-19. This will continue as we respond to the current situation.

“You will see increased visibility across our force areas where we will be trying to help our communities do the right thing and protect themselves and others.

“Our focus continues to be to reassure, inform and engage with people – explaining the regulations and encouraging compliance. We all have a personal responsibility to comply to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities from this virus.

“However we are now at a time where we will robustly enforce the regulations where there are blatant breaches, we will not allow the selfish minority to risk the health of the vast majority who have sacrificed so much over the last few months.   

“We intend to focus our activity on areas and behaviours that pose the greatest risk to our communities and we will be proactive in targeting those that are not sticking to the gathering rules, whether that be indoors or outdoors. 

“People should not be travelling between the areas facing local restrictions without defined reasonable excuses. This will include those that travel from other parts of the UK with high transmission rates.

“If you live in Wales in a non-restricted area you must not leave Wales to travel to other areas of the UK with high transmission rates - again without a reasonable excuse.

“All the actions we take and the effort we put in will be focussed towards limiting the spread of the virus, helping us all protect our loved ones, our communities and our vital health service.  

“The demand on North Wales Police has returned to pre-Covid level. And as a result, it is essential that people comply with the restrictions to reduce the number of breaches which officers have to respond to. We need people to recognise that wilfully flouting the guidance places unnecessary strain on already stretched resources.

“The weeks and months ahead will be difficult but we all need to work together to get the best result we can for our families.   

“We all have a shared responsibility to protect the NHS, please use your common sense and help us together to protect our communities and save lives."

Further details regarding the restrictions are available via the Welsh Government website.

Clwyd South receives £30,774,732 in Government Covid loans

Businesses across Clwyd South have benefitted from £30,774,732 worth of loans since the start of the Coronavirus outbreak. 

This includes 961 Bounce Back Loans (100 per cent Government-backed loans which are interest-free for the first 12 months) worth £24,874,029. 

The scheme ensures that small firms who need vital cash injections to keep operating can get finance in a matter of days, with no repayments due during the first 12 months.

In addition, 26 loans have been made in Clwyd South at a value of £5,900,703 through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Scheme. This scheme has helped small and medium-sized businesses to access loans and other kinds of finance up to £5 million.

Across Wales, a total of 48,893 Bounce Back Loans, worth £1,347,011,281, and 1,691 Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans, worth £373,795,012 have been provided to support businesses across all sectors, protecting jobs and livelihoods.

The Chancellor also announced last week that the government’s Job Support Scheme will be expanded to protect jobs and support businesses required to close their doors as a result of Coronavirus restrictions, alongside increasing the cash grants to businesses in England required to shut in local lockdowns to support with fixed costs–worth up to £3,000 per month.

Commenting, Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes said: “So far, the Government has provided over £200 billion throughout its economic response to coronavirus to support jobs and businesses in the UK.

“This year has been hugely challenging for businesses in Clwyd South, but these latest figures demonstrate the scale of support that the Conservative Government has put in place to protect livelihoods and businesses.

“Never has the Conservatives’ agenda to level up the whole county been so important–and we will continue to focus on supporting hardworking families across Clwyd South.”

188 pupils plus staff member at Ysgol Dinas Bran isolate after confirmed Covid case

Breaking news ...

Denbighshire County Council has confirmed that 188 pupils and one member of staff at Ysgol Dinas Bran have been asked to self-isolate until 23 October due to a confirmed Covid 19 case associated with the school.

All parents and guardians have been informed and both the Local Authority and the schools have consulted with Public Health Wales.

The schools remain open and the council is working closely with the schools affected, Public Health Wales as well as NHS Wales Test, Trace and Protect to ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect pupils, staff and the wider community.

Parents/guardians have been advised to remain alert for the main symptoms of coronavirus:

• A new or continuous cough
• A high temperature
• A loss of or change to sense of smell or taste

Those advised to self-isolated should book a coronavirus test if they develop any of these symptoms, even if they are mild. A test can be booked by phoning 119 or online: www.gov.wales/test-trace-protect-coronavirus

Advice requires those self-isolating to stay at home, not to go outdoors to exercise, to visit shops, family or friends, or to other public spaces. Please do not invite people to your house.

* Further formation on Test, Trace, Protect can be found here https://gov.wales/test-trace-protect-coronavirus

Wales introduces inward travel ban from Friday

* Now with comments at foot of story from Clwyd South MS Ken Skates

* First Minister Mark Drakeford.

The BBC is reporting this afternoon that people from parts of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland that have high rates of coronavirus will be banned from travelling to Wales from Friday.

Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford said the move was needed "to prevent the spread of infection within Wales" and elsewhere in the UK. 

It follows a row with the prime minister over whether parts of England should have travel restrictions. 

Mr Drakeford had written twice in recent weeks to Boris Johnson asking for travel to be restricted in and out of areas with high levels of transmission in England. 

The UK government has refused to do so, instead asking people in the worst affected areas to avoid non-essential travel.

Mr Drakeford said he had had no "formal response" from the prime minister.

He said: "Evidence from public health professionals suggests coronavirus is moving from east to west across the UK and across Wales. 

"As a general rule, it is concentrating in urban areas and then spreading to more sparsely populated areas as a result of people travelling." 

The rules will come into force on Friday at 18:00 BST.

Local Member of the Senedd has welcomed action by the Welsh Government to stop people from areas with high coronavirus infection rates elsewhere in the UK from travelling to Wales. 

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates said: “I have received a number of emails and calls from constituents who are rightly frustrated that while they are continuing to make sacrifices to keep Wales safe people from parts of England with much higher infection rates have been able to travel over the border into North Wales. 

“People in Llangollen have reported their concerns to me about this since the temporary restrictions were introduced in Denbighshire. 

"The First Minister has repeatedly called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to follow Wales’ lead by introducing urgent travel restrictions in English areas with high infection rates – which was echoed this week by the Plaid Cymru Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales. Sadly, the Prime Minister has repeatedly refused to take action despite increasing calls from neighbouring English councils for similar measures. 

“This could have been dealt with much earlier by the UK Government taking responsibility rather than delaying matters by forcing the Welsh Government to undertake complex legal discussions. I am glad the First Minister has continued to prioritise the safety of the people of Wales and I’m sure many others will welcome this decisive action.” 

Town centre "Active Travel" work to start on November 2, says county

* Castle Street parking will be suspended by the Active Travel scheme.

Work will begin to help social distancing and make it easier to travel around the town on Monday November 2, says Denbighshire County Council.

The long-awaited start date is officially given in a letter due to be sent out to residents in the affected areas soon, according to one of the area's two county councillors Graham Timms.  

The letter, which has been shown to llanblogger in advance of its release, says: "The proposed works, which will be introduced on a trial basis, for up to 18 months, include reversing the one-way restriction on Church Street from an easterly movement to a westerly movement between its junction with Chapel Street and its junction with Regent Street, with the purpose being to reduce instances of ‘rat running’ and to provide improved access to schools and the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists.

"Further measures include the introduction of a widened pedestrian area on the eastern side of Castle Street between its junction with Bridge Street and its junction with Regent Street. 

"This will be achieved with the introduction of bolt down kerbing and will provide enhanced facilities for people to social distance and travel actively. In order to facilitate this, on-street parking will be suspended on Castle Street for the duration of the trial period.

"A one-way restriction will also be introduced on Market Street between its junction with Castle Street and its junction with East Street. Vehicles will be allowed to enter Market Street from Castle Street and proceed in a westerly direction. The purpose of this restriction is to provide an additional loading bay, for use by businesses, along the north side of Market Street."

Cllr Timms explained: "This is the letter going out imminently to residents in the areas where changes will happen for the covid scheme.

"Work is being carried out during the week after the school half term holidays, beginning on the 2^nd November.

“During the late summer Llangollen had an unprecedented number of visitors after some of the covid-19 restrictions were lifted. Our narrow pavements in the town centre made social distancing impossible. Many residents told me that they would not even visit the town centre because of the overcrowded streets that made them feel unsafe.

“Whilst I understand that some businesses are concerned about the loss of some on-street parking, we have to ensure that everyone feels safe.

“The current local lockdown is creating very difficult conditions for traders and we need to give them all the support that they deserve. These new changes will enable residents and visitors to feel safer and encourage them to visit the town centre again."

He added: "In 2018 Castle Street had a pedestrian footfall of over a million, with a peak of nearly 140,000 in August. That’s even higher than Prestatyn and only slightly lower than Rhyl, which has a population nearly eight times the size of Llangollen.

“We need to make sure that our town remains vibrant and holds its place as the 'jewel in the crown' of its beautiful setting in the Dee valley. It needs to continue to be a major tourist destination as well as being a great place for those that live here too.

“Wider pavements will give more space for everyone and help to create a more relaxed atmosphere. Similar schemes elsewhere have shown that giving a higher priority to pedestrians makes people spend more time (and money) in town centres. It helps to create a more pleasant atmosphere and makes a return visit more likely."

The Active Travel scheme has been made possible because Denbighshire County Council has successfully acquired grant funding from Welsh Government as part of Local Sustainable Transport COVID Response Fund 2020-21. 

The letter to residents will be conducted by Gelli Civil Engineering and it goes on to give contact details for officials in charge of carrying it out.

Police appeal over damage to Llan Railway train, says report

Below: Some of the railway's own pictures of the damage to the train.

Wrexham.com is reporting today that police are appealing for information after the windows of a train in Llangollen were smashed.

The story says: "The offender/s also pulled up seats and tables in the carriages and left empty bottles of alcohol inside the train.

"The train was just outside of the Llangollen station.

"It is thought the incident took place sometime between Friday afternoon and yesterday.

"Anyone with any information is urged to contact police on 101 quoting reference number Y150557"

The force tweeted on its Denbigh Rural page: "Did you see anyone damaging a train in Llangollen sometime between Friday afternoon and yesterday, while the train was just outside the station?

"The offender/s smashed windows, pulled up seats and tables and left empty bottles of alcohol."

Llangollen Railway has just posted pictures of the damage on its Facebook page.

And the post says: "We are devastated at the awful damage that has been done to our beautiful carriages."

Police boss blasts Boris over refusal to ban people from Covid hotspots

 

* North Wales PCC Arfon Jones.

A police boss has blasted “irresponsible and reckless” Boris Johnson for refusing to ban people from Covid hotspots travelling into Wales and potentially bringing the virus with them.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones is furious that the UK Prime Minster had dismissed the request to ban people from travelling from areas of England with high infection rates

Mr Jones spoke out after Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford threatened a travel ban if Mr Johnson does not impose his own.

He said he was giving UK ministers "one final opportunity" before he makes changes in Welsh law.

The UK government announced on Monday that it will advise against non-essential travel from Merseyside.

But it stopped short of making it illegal, angering Welsh ministers and the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Jones said: “The Prime Minister is once again behaving irresponsibly and recklessly in allowing people from Covid hotspots to potentially import and spread the virus here in North Wales.

“He displayed his trademark arrogance in dismissing a perfectly reasonable question from Liz Saville Roberts, the MP for Meirionnydd Dwyfor, when she raised the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons.

Speaking on the Jason Mohammed show on Radio Wales, Mr Jones added: “The First Minister seems to be extremely frustrated with the Boris Johnson. I think what is being asked for is perfectly reasonable.

“People who live in Conwy cannot leave the county, but people from hotspots like Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham can travel into Conwy and spend time there.

“The only thing the Prime Minster has said is that they’re advised not to, but there is nothing to stop them from going. So, I do share the First Minister’s frustration on this.

“Policing is between a rock and a hard place on this issue. It is right in principle to do what Mr Drakeford and Mr Gething are suggesting, but it is very difficult for police to enforce it, even though we’ve had more money to enforce Covid regulations.

“But if the Welsh Government do ban people from crossing the border into Wales from England, we will do our best, along with our partners in local authorities and health to enforce the regulations.  

“We’d need to look at how we would enforce these rules and have a conversation with our four chief constables here in Wales.

“I can’t see us lining the border with patrol cars because none of the police forces in Wales have the resources to do that.

“The demand now is as high as it was before the first Covid lockdown. We will try to encourage and educate but if that doesn’t work, we will enforce.

“I think there will be a lower tolerance level because people do know what the rules and regulations are by now. So, there will be much less leeway for people who deliberately break the rules.

“I think there is an ideological difference between the devolved government and Westminster. It’s the health vs wealth argument.

“Obviously, Westminster is concerned about the economy as we all are, but I think the devolved nations want to put public health ahead.”