Extra powers for police after ‘disorder’ at barry
POLICE have reported “outbreaks of disorder” at one of South Wales’ most popular seaside spots after “large numbers of youths” gathered in the area.
Officers have now been granted additional powers to deal with people acting in a “anti-social manner” following a number of incidents on Barry Island on Wednesday night.
It is the latest in a spate of recent incidents along the South Wales coast during lockdown.
Local traders yesterday spoke of their anger and disappointment at the mass gathering, which saw up to 200 teenagers descend on the town.
Some residents reported seeing people drinking alcohol in public, despite the booze ban in the area – while others said they had seen police break up fights between revellers.
Waitress Charlie Everett, 17, saw the incident as it unfolded.
“I would say there were maybe 200 teenagers there,” she said. “I saw about six police officers. The teenagers were trying to run away from the police.
“They were moving down island.”
Charlie said she heard half of the people there were from Barry and the other half were from elsewhere.
She also described seeing officers trying to break up fights.
Images from the scene showed large groups of youths, some on bikes, as well as several police officers at the scene.
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Rosser, who was at Barry on Wednesday at around 6.30pm, described scenes of youths being moved on by police.
“I parked up at the bottom of the main strip where all the arcades are. All I saw was a big crowd of youngsters. It looked like the police were sort of pushing them towards the train station.”
Local businesses, fighting to bounce back after being shut for months, were dismayed with the scenes and said they didn’t need any trouble on their doorsteps right now.
David Lewis, owner of cafe Whitmore & Jackson, said: “There are always families who visit the fairground, and it was clear there was an incident taking place.
“It’s just really disappointing that families have to go through that and see that sort of thing taking place.”
The 58-year-old praised the police for trying to get things under control quickly, but added the island needed their support so that Wednesday’s ugly scenes don’t happen again.
He added: “It’s a family resort and it wasn’t a family situation.
“There are certain areas where you can drink alcohol and there are other areas where you cannot drink alcohol - big areas like the beach and the promenade where it’s not allowed.”
In addition to the section 35 dispersal order, South Wales Police will also be using powers to confiscate alcohol. It said they would also prosecute those who breached the order or anyone whose behaviour “meets criminal levels”.
Speaking on Wednesday night, Chief inspector Michelle Conquer from South Wales Police said: “Our officers have been called to a number of disturbances in the Barry Island area. It is a place enjoyed by people of all ages, at all times of the day, and such behaviour won’t be tolerated.
“Officers will be maintaining a visible presence in the area and our officers will proactively deal with any issues that arise - our message to anybody intent on going to Barry Island to cause trouble, or behave in a way that law-abiding people will find offensive, is to stay away.”
A force spokesman added: “Section 35 dispersal orders under the AntiSocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 aim to ensure the safety of the public and reduce the risk of any antisocial behaviour or disorder within this area.
“The order gives a uniformed police officer the power to exclude a person from an area for a period of up to 48 hours by the issuing of a written notice.
“The power is preventative and allows an officer to deal quickly with someone’s behaviour before it escalates. It is in addition to the current Covid-19 legislation.”
In recent weeks, mass gatherings have also had to be broken up by police in Cardiff Bay, while officers also had to deal with a mass brawl at a similar gathering at Ogmore-by-Sea in the Vale of Glamorgan.