With reports on social media of visitors entering the county and accessing holiday home and lets late at night and during the early hours, in an attempt to bypass police patrols and flout Government restrictions on non-essential travel, a Tenby County Councillor has written to the police authorities stating that he is concerned that some irate locals might take matters into their own hands.

“I am seriously concerned that some individuals in the area might be contemplating taking direct action against second home owners that are arriving in the town,” he stated Clr. Michael Williams, who represents Tenby’s North ward in correspondence sent to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys Police.

“People are sending me messages informing me when home owners are arriving, and I have to inform them that nothing can be done once they are in situ.

“I understand the pressure you are under, but if I am able to pass to the Police details of arriving owners, would it be possible for an Officer to call on occupied second homes and either warn or fine them for having travelled illegally?

“I am uncomfortable in suggesting this course of action, but I am seriously concerned about the perceived lack of action being taken to block people from arriving in the area,” he added.

Policing teams and the Pembrokeshire Road Policing Units have been out in force again this week patrolling and issuing Fixed Penalty Notices to people in breach of the Government’s travel restrictions. This morning (Thursday) one whole lane of the A40 has been closed down westbound at St Clears for checks by police on vehicles.“Thank you to those staying home. Patrols will continue across Pembrokeshire to ensure this continues, especially as the Bank Holiday approaches,” stated Chief Inspector Louise Harries on social media.

“Please don’t look for grey areas, or loop holes or get drawn into the debates - it’s a simple message #StayHomeSaveLives.”

“Travelling to Pembrokeshire this Easter for a holiday means you are likely to be stopped and fined - checkpoints are in place,” reaffirmed Police Superintendent for Pembrokeshire Ross Evans.

The message from ‘Pembrokeshire Tourism’ is also clear at this time - travelling to a second home/holiday home is non-essential travel and illegal under current restrictions, with the organisation urging people through a post on its Facebook page to adhere to the updated guidance issued by the Welsh Government ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

“Travel to a second home/holiday home is non-essential travel therefore it is illegal under current restrictions. You must stay at your primary residence and under no circumstances should you or others attempt to travel to a second home/holiday home, not even to ‘self-isolate’. The law is very clear on this.” stated the post.

Welsh government guidelines on the current restrictions state: ‘Remaining in holiday accommodation cannot be a matter of preference or convenience: for example, our (Welsh Government) view is that a claim of self-isolation or isolation from family members should not constitute a valid reason to stay (as people can and should self-isolate or isolate at home, so avoiding proximity to others and using shared facilities).’

‘Essential travel does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays. People must remain in their primary residence.’

To report an incident/breach of Coronavirus (Covid-19) measures to police, head to the following link: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/en/contact-us/report-an-incident/?fbclid=IwAR1_rsbLLJLztWS_V4huR2MXfq7bmKrSbqIajCXPcPX5PCLptlf5yr57R-o