Police come under attack from large bonfire gatherings
MISSILES were thrown at officers and a vehicle was damaged as police attempted to disperse large public gatherings on Bonfire Night in Covid hotspots.
South Wales Police officers were called to reports of “large public gatherings” on Bonfire Night around the Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda areas.
A spokesman for the force said officers were faced with a “degree of hostility” they have not experienced for some time, which saw a missile being thrown at officers and a vehicle damaged.
One video posted on social media showed a large gathering at a bonfire in the Gurnos, Merthyr Tydfil, where an ice cream van was also in attendance.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to the area but head of risk reduction Jason Evan, said a decision was made to let the fire “burn itself out” while under supervision as officers advised those at the bonfire about the coronavirus regulations.
Fire crews were called to the area at 6.23pm following reports from a resident of a refuse fire near Ash Crescent.
Mr Evans said: “A crew attended the scene alongside police colleagues and conducted a risk assessment which looked into the risk to life and property presented by the fire. A joint decision was made to allow the fire to burn itself out whilst under supervision.
“Bonfires can be a significant fire risk and we advise that residents refrain from having such fires and be considerate of any neighbours with breathing conditions who may also be self-isolating with symptoms of Covid-19.”
Merthyr Tydfil councillor for Gurnos, Lee Davies, said he was “extremely disappointed” to hear about the bonfire and witness the footage which was shared on social media.
He said: “I am aware that the local community need to be letting off a bit of steam as they have been in lockdown for quite some time but with the news Covid cases are quite high in Merthyr it is extremely disappointing.”
Cllr Davies said he had since spoken to the fire service who told him they also attended bonfires in Pontypridd and the Rhondda.
Merthyr Tydfil and RCT currently have the highest infection rates in Wales.
South Wales Police chief inspector Geraint White said officers were called to “large public gatherings” in multiple locations and incidents were now being investigated.
He said: “The behaviour of a minority of individuals was totally unacceptable. Officers were face with a degree of hostility we have not experienced for some time including a missiles being thrown at officers and a vehicle damaged.
“These incidents are now subject of an investigation where we will be reviewing footage recorded on officers’ body-worn video and action will be taken against offenders who are identified.
“In addition to the serious health risks associated of ignoring the current fire-break lockdown rules criminal and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and those involved in last night’s events will find themselves subject of retrospective police action.”
Merthyr Tydfil council leader Kevin O’Neill added yesterday: “I am saddened by the behaviour of a minority of local families and young people on the Gurnos estate last night and the way in which they celebrated Bonfire Night.
“I understand that this an important night of the year for many but this year our message was very clear: stay at home. Sadly video footage shared online last night showed that some people thought that this didn’t apply to them as they showed utter contempt for the rules that have been put in place to protect them and their families from the virus.”
He added: “What further concerns me is that this happened on the day that Merthyr Tydfil was confirmed as having the highest rate of Coronavirus cases per 100,000 population in the whole of the UK. There is no excuse.
“All that I hope now is that last night’s events do not have an impact on virus transmission in Merthyr Tydfil. If so it may come at a huge cost to us all. Only time will tell.”