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Penally military base: Arrest after protest over asylum seekers

BBC There are plans to house asylum seekers at a military training camp in PembrokeshireBBC
The Penally Training Camp is on a list of potential locations to house asylum seekers

A man has been arrested following protests at a military base set to house asylum seekers.

Dyfed-Powys Police took the 50-year-old man into custody on suspicion of public order offences after a "disturbance" at Penally, Pembrokeshire, on Monday.

The entrance to the base was blocked, with First Minister Mark Drakeford saying it had become a target for "hard-right extremist protesters".

Proposals could see 230 people housed at the base until claims are processed.

The base was used by the army and Ministry of Defence until the Home office took it over on Monday.

The move by the UK government has not been discussed with the Welsh Government, and has brought a number of protests.

These have been organised by groups who are against the move and others who said they welcomed asylum seekers but believed the base was unsuitable for them.

Protestors on a beach in Tenby
A peaceful protest in Tenby on Sunday welcomed refugees but argued the former military facility was 'inappropriate'

He said there was another protest at the site on Tuesday night that involved 40 people, with "minimal disturbances and no further arrests".

There was also a gathering on Wednesday morning of people supportive of asylum seekers.

"We will always work to ensure that everyone's voices are heard, in a peaceful and safe way," said Supt Anthony Evans.

"We understand that tensions are running high in the community, but Monday night's scenes endangered everyone and caused understandable alarm."

He added "a significant amount of footage" was being reviewed from officers' bodyworn cameras and social media, with prosecutions likely for those identified committing crimes.