Gang of 10 threaten locals with crowbars’ a ter forcing their way into sealed off Snowdon car park
A GANG of yobs kicked away cones blocking a Snowdonia car park and “threatened locals with crowbars and shovels” when they challenged them over breaking lockdown rules.
The group – said to be up to 10 strong – was seen in the Llanberis area earlier this week.
In a video filmed by a nearby resident, shouting can be heard when they are confronted.
One said they were threatening people with crowbars and shovels.
They were reported to police and were said to have left the area shortly afterwards.
The incident came after one of two vehicles thought to be connected to the group was seen on the Pen y Pass car park near Snowdon.
One of the occupants of the vehicle was seen kicking away cones that were blocking the way.
When the men were challenged by someone from the nearby youth hostel, they were said to have become abusive, according to reports from locals.
The incidents have angered people in the community, who were furious at the apparent deliberate flouting of the lockdown rules.
Local resident Trina Burgess said: “I’m not allowed a panad [cuppa] with my mum, but they’re allowed to get drunk and drive around threatening people with crowbars.”
A North Wales Police spokesman said: “We were made aware of the incident and as a result of police actions, the vehicle left the force area.”
While the Snowdon area has been generally quiet during the lockdown and Snowdonia National Park officials have praised walkers and climbers for their restraint in not visiting the area, this incident is not the first of coronavirus restrictions being broken.
Last month, two people from London were turned around by police after driving to Gwynedd to climb Snowdon.
Two days before the lockdown was introduced on March 23, Snowdonia was reported to be busy and hundreds of cars were seen parked along the main roads leading to Pen y Pass.
Walk Up Snowdon, an online guide to routes for walking up the mountain, said it had recorded a “massive spike” in visitors to its website in recent days.