ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ‘MUST BE CONTROLLED’
LLANELLI MP Nia Griffith is calling for a clampdown on a dramatic spike in what she has branded “shocking anti-social behaviour” since pubs reopened as lockdown eases.
People in the town have already reported large gatherings, underage drinking, rubbish and arson being committed.
Dyfed-Powys Police said that on Thursday last week, groups of 14-18-year-olds were found setting fires, underage drinking and littering near Sandy Water Park and Swiss Valley Reservoir
Welsh Water also reported anti-social behaviour in Swiss Valley.
Ms Griffith claimed people living near the town centre have been at their wits’ end in recent days with the loutish behaviour they have had to put up with night after night.
Among the problems that have been reported are crowds of rowdy drinkers leaving pubs, setting off car alarms, urinating on doorsteps and leaving a trail of broken glass.
She said a concerted effort was needed to stamp out the rise in antisocial behaviour.
The MP added: “We all want people to be able to have a drink in a pub garden, but unfortunately we have seen some appalling behaviour in this first week of pubs reopening.
“Huge crowds gathering, with no thought for social distancing, and then disgusting behaviour as they leave premises – urinating in doorways, throwing up, smashing bottles and tampering with people’s cars.
“No-one should ever have to put up with that sort of disgraceful behaviour, especially now when people have made considerable sacrifices to help get Covid-19 under control.
“The last thing we want is to throw all that .away and send the infection rate soaring again.
“We cannot let the stupidity of some put us all back in lockdown, which is why I am calling on all concerned – the police, council trading standards, the publicans and the drinkers themselves to take responsibility and get matters under control.”
Llanelli town centre resident Christine Clarke said: “I am used to a bit of noise but the behaviour this week has been totally unacceptable.
“I’ve seen over 200 people crowding around the pub with taxi-loads more arriving. I’ve also seen people vomiting in the back lanes, urinating against walls and smashing glass nearby.
“We all have a duty to think of others, even more so now with what’s been happening with Covid-19 in the last few months.
“I’d like to see a greater police presence and I want to know that something is being done to curb this revolting behaviour.”
A spokeswoman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be patrolling and issuing dispersal orders when necessary.”