Community unrest continues in some areas of Pembrokshire relating to people travelling from outside the county to occupy second homes and holiday lets during Covid-19 lockdown.

The First Minister Mark Drakeford’s advice when announcing changes to the Welsh Government restrictions today (Friday) was ‘stay local to keep Wales safe’.

From Monday in Wales, two households in the same local area will be able to meet outdoors, although people must still follow social distancing and strict hand hygiene practices to control the spread of the virus.

The Welsh Government have stated that - local means not generally travelling more than five miles from home to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading from one area to another. The changes mean people can meet another household outdoors in their local area but all the other rules to protect people from coronavirus will stay in place for the time being.

All non-essential travel, including to second homes, and holiday lets remains illegal under the existing coronavirus guidelines.

Pembrokeshire County Council leader David Simpson commented this week on the fact that policing stop checks continue across the county checking on non-essential journeys.

“I am aware of community unrest in some areas relating to people traveling from outside the county into Pembrokeshire,” said Clr. Simpson.

“I want to assure everyone that we are reviewing any complaints received. Our enforcement teams do review and enforce (if this falls under our powers) and they liaise with the police as appropriate,” he added.

After receiving further reports of families arriving in Tenby over the past few days to occupy non-permanent residences, county councillor for the resort’s North ward, Clr. Michael Williams said that he’d almost ‘given up’ on the fact that visitors were still arriving in town.

“I’ve two instances where a family from the Brecon area have visited their second home three times and anther from Somerset who have visited twice. I believe one is a justice of the peace!” stated Clr. Williams, who said that he was also given a further example of an arrival at a holiday accommodation overlooking the North Beach from last night (Thursday).

“The police did visit one yesterday but as you know once they are in there are no powers to send them home. It’s a joke, I’ve warned the police that I fear someone will take matters in to their own hands, and I know that this worry is shared by Sian Gwenllian MS in North Wales.

“I am totally sick and fed up with selfish irresponsible people visiting often from areas with high levels of infection. I’ve had very elderly individuals crying with worry due to these stupid people!” he added.

County councillor Jon Preston who represents the Penally ward as well as Gumfreston and St. Mary Out Liberty (New Hedges) shared the frustrations regarding second home occupation in the locality.

“I am contacted almost daily now by worried residents in the locality, frustratingly all I have been able to advise is to report the matter via the dedicated Dyfed Powys Police Covid-19 breach reporting webpage.

“We have been let down by Welsh Government by not making use of extended enforcement powers and by Westminster who could have mobilised the UK Armed Forces to set up road blocks to support the Police operation.

“I know of military personal who have been furloughed whilst waiting for overseas deployment who I’m sure would much rather be supporting moves to contain the transmission of this deadly virus.

“Coastal communities all over the UK have been left vulnerable. Government officials and politicians have failed to lead by example which has basically given those who only put themselves first the green light to ignore the lockdown measures.

“We know we can close off the county as we do so for major sporting events, unfortunately in this instance that option was not available to us. It looks like we’ve been left to deal with the consequences with what little powers we have.

“All we can do is keep reporting what we know, follow the guidelines and look out for those we care about,” added Clr. Preston.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Lead Environmental Health Officer Sam Hancock said that the local authority are only able to deal with ‘persons renting out holiday accommodation as a business’.

“As you are no doubt aware the Local Authority has no powers with respect to homes occupied by their owners even if it is not their primary residence - the police would take the lead, however their powers are also limited and apply to travel to the property,” he said.

“If the occupiers are not the owners of the property i.e. it is a holiday let (and no exceptions apply) then we may be able to take enforcement action.

“Due to the number of reports of people arriving at various properties in the County to take up occupation, a joint letter endorsed by all members of the Dyfed-Powys Local Resilience Forum - and signed by the Council’s Chief Executive and the Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police - was sent to over 6,000 owners of second homes/holiday properties in the County recently, and this letter appeared to have had some impact as the number of complaints have been reducing.

“The team also support police cordons that have been in place at peak times and are designed to stop those travelling into Pembrokeshire without ‘reasonable’ excuse,” he stated.