Dyfed-Powys Police have stated that they are further engaging with service users at the Penally Asylum Accommodation Centre over this weeks protests and are gathering evidence to enable enforcement where appropriate.

Further protests have taken place today (Friday, January 15) by the service users at the Asylum Accommodation Centre outside the facility gates in the village, following protest marches on Wednesday night which saw around 30 of the men march into Tenby, and again on Thursday afternoon, where the men, this time in larger numbers, carried banners, whilst chanting “we need freedom...not prison” at times during the march, and once in the town centre.

Today (Friday) one resident of Penally contacted the Observer to state that many of the asylum seekers were walking around the village in large groups of up to 12 in what they perceived as a clear breach of current tier 4 lockdown regulations; before they continued demonstrations outside the camp against what they have described as poor living conditions.

Superintendent Anthony Evans, Divisional Commander for Pembrokeshire, said: “While we will always work to facilitate peaceful protest, we are in very challenging times, and each and every one of us is being directed to comply with laws put in place to protect public health.

“We are in regular contact with management and service users at the Penally Asylum Accommodation Centre, and have built positive relationships with them and the local community.

“Together with others who are working with the individuals at the centre, we have engaged and encouraged compliance with the regulations to ensure social distancing.

“Following this week’s protests on foot, police have visited the Asylum Accommodation Centre and further engaged with service users.

“Welsh Government coronavirus regulations have been reinforced and we are gathering evidence to enable enforcement where appropriate.

“Everyone is asked to do what we should do, not what we believe we can do, in order to minimise travel and contact with those outside our households,” he added.

MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire and Wales’ Secretary of State, Simon Hart commented earlier today on the protest marches into Tenby: “I agree with local residents that this appears to make a mockery of Covid regs which people have worked so hard to observe.

“I have asked the Home Office and Police and Crime Commissioner (for Dyfed-Powys police) for an urgent explanation as to how they plan to ensure that Covid regs are properly and evenly applied,” added Mr. Hart.

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn has also issued the following statement: “The situation at the Penally Asylum Accommodation Centre is complex and sensitive, and I would like to reassure the local communities of Penally and Tenby, that I am regularly being updated by Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Officers of developments in and around the Centre.

“I’m aware that police were in attendance during protests that have taken place this week, and I was pleased to hear that the protests were peaceful with no disorder reported.

“These are extremely difficult times for all of us. I have seen first-hand the difficult circumstances encountered by individuals that are residing at the centre and I have met with the Chief Inspector of Asylum and Immigration who gave me assurances about an independent inspection that will take place in the near future.

“However, now is not the time to be gathering to hold protests, and I can understand the frustrations of the local communities when observing such activities.

“Officers will and have been acting accordingly when Covid-19 regulations are breached, and I’m reassured that the Force have been liaising with the site management team to educate them of the Force’s four E principles’ approach – engage, explain, encourage and enforce.

“I am also pushing for additional funding from the Home Office to support local resources that have been put under pressure as a result of the decision to utilise the camp as an asylum centre.

“In the meantime, we remain in regular contact with local partners and service providers, monitoring all situations around the facility,” he added

For further information on the coronavirus regulations in Wales, visit the Welsh Government website at gov.wales/coronavirus