Campers among 100s fined for rule breaches
CAMPERS, birthday party guests and daytrippers from England were among the hundreds of people given fines by South Wales Police for breaching coronavirus restrictions over the weekend.
The police force revealed yesterday that around 240 people were fined in total for breaking the rules currently in place throughout Wales, which remains under an Alert Level 4 lockdown that’s been in place since December 20 in a bid to tackle the spread of Covid-19.
There were also operations in place to stop motorists and check their reasons for their journey, including around 200 in and around Porthcawl.
Those fined over the weekend in
South Wales by police included:
20 individuals who travelled Ogmore-by-Sea to exercise;
Five people who travelled from Birmingham to Penarth Esplanade for a day out;
Three men who travelled from Newport to Cardiff Bay to go for a walk;
Seven people who were spotted going camping in woods in the Vale of Glamorgan;
A couple who had travelled from Bournemouth to see relatives in Cardiff;
Seven people who were found at a house party in Swansea;
Four who attended a birthday party in Landore, Swansea; and
16 fines for individuals found at two separate house parties in Mount Pleasant and Sandfields, Swansea.
Across Rhondda Cynon to
Taf and
Merthyr Tydfil there were 37 fixed penalties given for gatherings and a further nine for unnecessary travel.
Across Cardiff there were 64 fines for numerous house parties and indoor gatherings.
Two people were also arrested for possession with intent to supply drugs after officers responded to “lots of comings and goings” at an address in Grangetown, Cardiff.
A number of referrals for follow-up action and investigation have also been made to the Joint Enforcement Teams which operate in every local authority area in South Wales.
Chief Superintendent Andy Valentine said: “This weekend South Wales Police officers and PCSOs have continued in their efforts to keep the public safe from Covid-19.
“Whilst the vast majority of people continue to follow the rules, we have unfortunately had to take action in respect of a number of blatant and deliberate breaches of the coronavirus regulations.
“Some of the incidents we have dealt with this weekend have the potential to undermine the sacrifices that led to the reduction of Covid-19 in our communities.
“As well as thanking those who do the right thing to keep themselves and others safe, I want to appeal for the public’s continuing support in following Welsh Government legislation.
“The vaccination roll-out and the anticipated easing of restrictions offers everyone hope, but for now we must continue to follow the rules that are currently in place to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19 in our communities.”