I am writing to express concern at a needless fight outside my home after a man urinated against my neighbour’s wall and a second remonstrated. A third started to argue and it escalated into a vicious fight. The man who complained was punched in the face and, when he fell to the ground, was repeatedly kicked. A fourth man was directed to the property opposite, where he urinated in the entrance.

This is not isolated, but something that has occurred here over many years, but was certainly the most vicious attack I witnessed. Several, including young people, phoned the Police, perhaps illustrating the severity this time. It was early evening and all witnessed by visitors (including children) who filmed it on their phones.

I had a bizarre conversation on a train in mid Wales years ago when I was asked why there were no toilet facilities in Tenby. I was told pubs had removed loos so where did that leave punters to toilet?

Whilst we do have facilities, where is the signage? There is a sign by the Church in the Square pointing to the toilets in the harbour, but why not to Upper Frog Street, which is considerably closer? On one of the main drags from the Five Arches to the Square there is no signage at the junction of St. George’s and Frog Street towards the loos in Upper Frog Street. There are signs around town to the Bowling Green, Museum etc., but signs to the toilets are sadly lacking. Perhaps visitors are not encouraged to use the loos in Upper Frog but, if so, it means the facilities within town are even more limited.

The two questions I am most asked are “which way to the harbour?” and “where are the toilets?” I’ve seen anxious parents unable to find anywhere, reluctantly allowing children to go in the street.

It isn’t good enough and the town should be sorting it and not simply leaving the Police to respond to incidents which don’t address the problem. The streets are kept meticulously tidy of rubbish and yet urinating seems par for the course. I lived in the middle of London and never experienced this sort of behaviour but, if I had, feel it would have been dealt with more seriously, objectively and responsibly.

The current situation in the Harbour area is also dreadful and again needs taking in hand. Whilst there are other issues there too, all equally important, regarding the urinating particularly at the little church, quite clearly there is a massive problem.

According to a BBC News item a few weeks ago, over two-million people visit Tenby each year. It therefore stands to reason that the lavatories we have, quite apart from being difficult to find, are simply insufficient for the numbers and temporary loos around town during the busiest times could be one answer.

Whilst not attractive, the one thing people will not do is wander round town looking for loos. If they were strategically placed, people would at least see them. The number of people we get is akin to a festival where portable loos are the norm so, if we are going to welcome the huge numbers who come here, we should at least be prepared to provide adequate toilet facilities.

Come on County Council and Town Council stop sitting on your hands looking the other way and address and resolve this ongoing and unpleasant problem which has blighted us for years.

It’s getting even harder to live within the town and now, with the lack of social distancing and associated issues following lockdown, it doesn’t sound good when even visitors complain at the poor provisions for safety in the narrow streets of town. Councils you need to act.

I also trust that, when the council closes premises due to their size and space, they will look at all premises around town with the same methodology.

Sue Millward,

Tenby.