Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Thursday, August 8)

Drivers told to find other routes as road closed

Drivers are being warned to find alternative routes with a road closed tonight for emergency road works. The A465 between Glynneath and Croesbychan iss currently closed in both directions, Traffic Wales said.

Road closed

#A465 Glynneath – Croesbychan.

The road is currently closed in both directions for emergency works.

Please find alternative route. pic.twitter.com/07YPDEJYN1

— Traffic Wales South (@TrafficWalesS) August 8, 2024

Final child hurt in Southport stabbings leaves hospital

The final child injured during the Southport stabbings on July 29 was discharged from hospital today and will continue her recovery at home, Merseyside Police said tonight.

Her family said: “We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for their unwavering support and the extraordinary care they provided to our beloved daughter during this challenging time. We also extend our deepest thanks to the air ambulance team, whose swift response and expertise were crucial in airlifting her from the scene to the hospital. We know that their intervention saved her life.

“We were deeply saddened by the recent disorder and the attacks on our police force. It is important to highlight that when the horrific events unfolded, our police officers were the first on the scene. We are immensely grateful to the officers who stood by our daughter’s side, providing assistance and support until she was safely transported to the hospital.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for our nation, especially for the families affected by these tragic events. We appreciate the continued support and compassion from everyone during this challenging period. While we are relieved that our daughter is on the path to recovery, our hearts go out to the families of Bebe, Alice and Elsie during this immensely painful time. Thank you.”

Ramped up police response to stay in place

The Home Secretary has said the ramped-up police response to potential further riots would continue and suggested it was having an impact on stemming days of disorder .

Yvette Cooper met with police officers and Deputy Commission Dame Lynne Owens at the Metropolitan Police’s specialist operations room in Lambeth on Thursday.

Asked if the deployment of a “standing army” of 6,000 officers would continue over the weekend she said: “We’re going to continue with this strong policing response, making sure that there are additional police officers ready to respond.”

After police were braced for disorder on Wednesday that largely failed to materialise, Ms Cooper said that expedited arrests, convictions and sentencing, as well as the thousands of additional officers on the streets, were having an impact.

The fast response from the criminal justice system “does show people that you really will pay the price for these crimes,” said Ms Cooper. She added that the police are also continuing to pursue those involved in rioting on the ground as well as those orchestrating it online.

“As we speak, there are officers scouring some of the videos, the social media, making sure as well they’re pursuing consequences for people online who have been organising this violence, as well as people offline, people who have actually been on the streets demonstrating this thuggery. There will be consequences.”

Counter anti-far right protests saw people take to the streets on Wednesday as people showed their opposition to the violence across towns and cities.

Police incident closes road

Drivers are being warned that a road is closed following what’s described as “a police incident.

Dyfed Powys Police said the A484 Farm Foods roundabout to Trostre is closed and is asking drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes.

A484- Farm foods roundabout to Trostre roundabout

The road is currently closed due to a police incident

Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey.

Thank you. pic.twitter.com/kMWcldMxsS

— Dyfed-Powys Police (@DyfedPowys) August 8, 2024

Series fronted by Michael Mosley to air with tribute from his widow

A series fronted by Michael Mosley, which includes a special tribute from his widow, is to air on Channel 5. The broadcaster and columnist died of natural causes in June, aged 67, after he went missing on the Greek island of Symi. The three-part series, Michael Mosley: Wonders Of The Human Body – which will air later in the month, will see Mosley investigate the human body and understand how it changes as we age.

His widow Dr Clare Bailey Mosley said: “One of Michael’s biggest passions has always been to reveal the extraordinary secrets of how our bodies work, to help us understand and look after them. He spent several months with the production team, travelling far and wide for the making of this brand new series”.

Mosley is credited with popularising the 5:2 diet, a form of intermittent fasting, through his book The Fast Diet, and he often pushed his body to extreme lengths during his research into health and wellbeing.

He first trained as a doctor in London before moving into the world of media – becoming a presenter, documentary maker, author and columnist.
During his career, he presented a host of science programmes and films including the BBC series Trust Me, I’m A Doctor, which looked at healthcare in Britain, and hosted BBC Radio 4 podcast Just One Thing. Michael Mosley: Wonders Of The Human Body will air on Channel 5 on August 22 at 8pm.

Drivers warned of delays after Crash closes road in both directions

A stretch of The A5 on Anglesey is closed in both directions after an accident. Traffic is queueing after the incident between the Caergybi turn off (Gaerwen) and the Llanddaniel Fab turn off. Police are advising motorists to avoid the area.

Shock defeat ends Jade Jones’ gold medal hopes

Jade Jones has seen her Olympic gold medal hopes ended after losing in the first round of the women’s taekwondo. Jones couldn’t hide her disappointment as she knelt down and tried to catch her breath following the event. She can, however, still go home with a medal, as long as she makes it through to the bronze final.

The Welsh athlete’s dream of emulating her 2012 and 2016 Olympic triumphs came to an end as she fell at the first hurdle of the women’s -57kg taekwondo competition at the Grand Palais in Paris today. The 31-year-old Welsh athlete was edged out by North Macedonian Miljana Reljikj in her round of 16. Her chances of a place in the repechage also evaporated when Reljikj was eliminated in the next round. Read the full story here

Jones, who is from Bodelwyddan, was bidding to become the first three-time Olympic champion in the sport’s history. She was beaten at the same stage in Tokyo three years ago – which she later described as the “biggest low” of her career.

Violent scenes on train as brawl breaks out

A shocking video shows violent scenes on a valleys train when a brawl between dozens of young people and another passenger broke out. The incident happened on Tuesday, August 6, on the 8:42pm Transport for Wales train between Treherbert and Cardiff Central. After the altercation started the train was halted at Ton Pentre station while British Transport Police and security attended.

The video, which has been blurred to hide the identities of those involved due to their age, shows dozens of young people physically and verbally abusing each other, another passenger and a member of staff. In the video the group can be seen throwing punches and pushing. It is understood there were no serious injuries and no arrests. Read the full story here

Taylor Swift’s London gigs will go ahead, says mayor

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the city will “carry on” as the host of Taylor Swift’s Wembley concerts later this month, after the US singer’s dates in Austria this week were cancelled after alleged plans for a terror attack in Vienna were foiled. On Wednesday, Swift’s three performances at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium were cancelled as two suspected extremists were arrested by local police.

When asked about the events in Austria, Mr Khan told Sky New: “We are a capital city, we are an international city, on a regular basis we host major events, whether it’s concerts – Bruce Springsteen was most recently at Wembley Stadium – we’re looking forward to welcoming Taylor Swift back.

“I’m currently at (Chelsea’s football stadium) Stamford Bridge. Every other week there’s a game taking place. We have a huge amount of experience in policing these events, we’re never complacent, many lessons were learnt after the awful Manchester Arena attack.

“The police work closely, not just with City Hall, but with councils, but also with those who host concerts, like the Taylor Swift concert coming up over the next couple of weeks.

“I’m sure Vienna has got its own reasons to cancel the Taylor Swift concerts, we’re going to carry on, working closely with police (and) ensuring that the Taylor Swift concerts can take place in London safely.”

Wales rugby international retires aged 28

Aged 28, Wales hooker Bradley Roberts has retired with immediate effect due to injury.

Roberts said: “My career has been short but very sweet and I look back at this chapter with massive pride and astonishment.”

Shocking defeat leaves Welsh Olympian, Jade Jones, on her knees

Losing the first round of the women’s taekwondo has seen Jade Jones’ hopes of an Olympic gold medal ended. The three time Olympic gold winner suffered a shock first-round defeat to North Macedonia’s Miljana Reljikj in the Paris games today.

Double Olympic medallist and BBC pundit Bianca Cook said: “It’s just devastating for her. The fight was a scrappy fight, it was so close. She won last second on registrations and I know how devastated Jade will be. Hopefully she can get through to the final and give herself a chance in the bronze medal match and repechage.

Police issue update on boy arrested for ‘threats’ after school stabbing

A 15-year-old who was arrested in connection with alleged threatening messages relating to Ysgol Dyffryn Aman days after a stabbing at the school has been released without charge, police have confirmed. The youth was arrested in Cross Hands during the early hours of Thursday, April 25.

Earlier that week the school had been placed on lockdown after three people – two teachers and a pupil – were taken to hospital with knife injuries after a triple stabbing on Wednesday, April 24.

A huge multi-agency response was launched with officers from Dyfed-Powys Police, paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service, and two Wales Air Ambulances sent to the scene. The two teachers have since spoken out about the ordeal and thanked emergency services for their response.

A 13-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested at the school and taken into police custody and later charged with three counts of attempted murder. She will appear in Swanse a Crown Court later this month.

Baby dies after contracting whooping cough

Another infant has died after contracting whoopingcoughbringing the total number of deaths from the disease in the current outbreak in England to 10.

Health officials have urged pregnant women to get vaccinated after new data showed the number of confirmed laboratory cases of whoopingcough in England passed 10,000 in the year to June.

New record highs in homelessness

A record high of more than 150,000 children living in temporary accommodation has been described as “astounding” amid calls for more action to address what the Government has acknowledged is a “national scandal”.

A total of 117,450 households were in this situation in England at the end of March, some 74,530 of which were households with children, the latest official figures showed.

Both are record highs, according to data published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on Thursday.

There were 151,630 children living in temporary accommodation, an increase of 15% compared with the end of March last year and the highest figure since this measure began in 2004.

The new Labour Government has branded the situation “nothing short of a national scandal” as the country faces the “most acute housing crisis in living memory”.

Temporary accommodation is a form of homelessness and can include people living in hostels or bed and breakfasts (B&Bs).

A470 blocked due to crash

The A470 Northbound is partially blocked with queueing traffic due to accident from A472 (AberCynon Roundabout, AberCynon) to A4060 (Abercanaid Roundabout, Pentrebach).

Burglary in vape shop

Officers in Haverfordwest are investigating a burglary that occurred at Vape Zone, Haverfordwest between 1am and 4am August 4th.

It is believed two suspects have gained access to the store where they have stolen a large number of vapes.

If you have any information that could help officers with their investigation, or have been offered an opportunity to purchase any of the items, please get in touch either through:

️ | https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline

| [email protected]

| Direct message Dyfed-Powys Police on social media

| 101

Quote ref: 24*676785

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Queues on M4 Prince of Wales bridge

There is queueing traffic on the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge in both directions from J22 M49 to J23 M48, in the roadworks area.
The bridge is down to a single lane Westbound with a contraflow Eastbound, delays are not helped by and accident that is within the roadworks cones.

Huge earthquake in Japan

A tsunami warning has been issued for Japan after an earthquake has hit the region.

The magnitude of the tremor is believed to have been around seven on the scale.

Wales star signs new deal

Wales tighthead Leon Brown has signed a new contract to remain at the Dragons.

The 24-times-capped Wales prop has had a torrid time with injuries over the course of his career but the Dragons have decided to retain his services. Dai Flanagan has also given new contracts to former Ospreys and Cardiff tighthead Dmitri Arhip, Chris Coleman, Luke Yendle, Argentinian prop Rodrigo Martinez and hooker James Benjamin.

“It’s great news Dmitri has agreed new terms with us,” said Flanagan. “He is a rock-solid performer, a total professional and vastly experienced tight-head who adds a huge amount to our squad.

“We are pleased a number of our talented front rowers have also agreed new deals. We’re excited to see them continue their journey with us and they understand there is a very real expectation on them to kick on and perform.”

Tens of thousands of counter protesters take to the streets

Tens of thousands of anti-fascist protesters flooded the streets in towns and cities across the UK on Wednesday night (August 7) amid threats from far-right groups of further violent demonstrations. The counter protests came amid fears that far-right groups might target more than 100 parts of the UK.

On Wednesday night, police had prepared for disturbances in 41 force areas out of 43 in England and Wales. It followed a list circulating of 38 towns and cities deemed as “target” areas for protests today, with 6,000 riot officers poised across the UK. Shops, restaurants and other businesses had boarded up their premises amid fears of violence.

However, counter protesters turned out in their thousands to protect their towns and cities with no serious violence reported by 9pm. Crowds gathered in towns and cities including London, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool and Hastings, holding banners saying “Fight racism”, “Stop the far right” and “Will trade racists for refugees”.

Full details and photos here.

Today’s Met Office forecast for Wales

Today: “Cloudy and damp with periods of drizzly rain, this persistent at times. Murky in many coastal and hillier areas with mist and fog. Breezy but feeling increasingly warm and humid. Maximum temperature 20 °C.

Tonight: “Further spells of rain and drizzle this evening, then gradually turning drier overnight with clear spells for many by dawn. Humid at first though turning somewhat fresher later. Winds easing. Minimum temperature 12 °C.