'HOLES in security arrangements' at a Pembrokeshire port have been detailed to a senior policing figure in the week that 129 people were killed in the Paris terrorist attacks.

South Pembrokeshire Labour Assembly Candidate Marc Tierney has written to the Police and Crime Commissioner, Christopher Salmon, outlining his concern over security at the Port of Pembroke.

Mr Tierney outlined his experience at the end of last month, when vehicles disembarking the Irish Ferries ‘Isle of Inishmore’ at Pembroke Port were subject to no checks and there was no visible security presence for the ship's arrival in the early hours of the morning.

In light of the terrorist assault on Paris and the UK terror threat remaining ‘severe’, the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire candidate is pressing for an immediate tightening of security procedures.

Earlier this year, in the light of the first series of terrorist attacks in France, Mr Tierney sought assurances from the Police and Crime Commissioner that security arrangements were to be stepped up at all entry points including Fishguard, Pembroke Port and around the Milford Haven waterway in general.

Mr Tierney said: “I am very concerned that I am having to highlight this issue again. I have spoken to officers locally who take the threat of terrorism seriously. We shouldn’t underestimate the importance of our ports as a gateway to Europe.

“It is a highly unsatisfactory situation for people to enter Britain through west Wales without any checks whatsoever. Holes in security arrangements give those prepared to commit a criminal act an easy ride.

In describing his experience, the prospective AM said: “On our outward journey, our party was subject to identity checks which I have absolutely no problem with. Although it shouldn’t be the job of British border control checking passports for entry to Ireland. Coming back into Britain a week later, there were no checks - neither leaving Ireland at Rosslare or entering Britain through Pembroke Port. That is not an acceptable situation.

“It is not the job of the ferry company to check identities and indeed they don’t passport check – that is the job of UK Border Agency. I want assurances from both the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Secretary of State for Wales that our ports are protected at all times and that the necessary resources are being provided for those highly skilled teams to do their job properly.

“Terrorism isn’t a new threat to us, but as the First Minister Carwyn Jones has said we must be vigilant to the threat currently presenting us.”

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon said: “The news from Paris was terrible – and I’m determined that Dyfed-Powys will play its part in keeping further terrorism at bay.

“People with specific concerns should contact their local police who support national agencies in protecting our ports.

“We live in a safe part of the world but we are not complacent, and I continually discuss force needs with the Chief Constable.

“Dyfed-Powys Police take an active role in policing the ports of Fishguard and Pembroke Dock.

“The port officers working here, who are in fact Dyfed-Powys Police officers, come under the governance of WECTU, the Welsh Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit. This body co-ordinates the regional response to terrorism and domestic extremism.

“The port officers work closely with partner agencies including UK Border Force, Milford Haven Port Authority, Irish Ferries, Stena and Ports Security.

“They assist with the monitoring of aircraft and marine movements, with procedures in place for early alerts of activity around our coast and at locations where aircraft might land. Both operations come under the remit of the National Crime Agency but with assistance from the police.

“Ports officers also participate in national operations concerned with counter terrorism and crime prevention and detection.”