The UK Government will take Milford Haven’s status as an energy hub of national importance into account when allocating extra resources to Dyfed-Powys police.

That’s the government’s response to security issues raised by the Welsh Affairs Committee’s report into ports in Wales.

Last year the committee heard evidence that around £1.5m was needed to fund extra armed officers and equipment to protect the port of Milford Haven from a variety of potential threats.

In her evidence, Chief Constable Collette Paul told committee members that a dedicated police vessel plus extra CCTV, automatic number plate recognition and co-ordinating centres were needed.

The committee’s final report said that Milford Haven is a vital port that has expanded rapidly and added that Dyfed-Powys police “must be adequately resourced to deal with the demands they now face.”

This week, responding to the issues raised, the UK government said: “The Home Office recognises that Milford Haven is home to a number of critical national infrastructure assets and is a factor that would be taken into account when allocating additional funding to support police activities at this key port.”

The government response added: ‘Transport security inspectors conduct a regular programme of inspection activity throughout the UK to ensure that the right resources, plans and procedures are in place and ports in Wales are regularly inspected.”