COPS HURT IN BAY VIOLENCE
POLICE OFFICERS PELTED WITH MISSILES ON HOTTEST DAY
THREE police officers were injured after being pelted with missiles, including bottles, while responding to “violent disorder” in Cardiff Bay.
The “despicable” scenes happened during the evening of the hottest day of the year so far, when temperatures had reached 21.6C in the capital.
Crowds of people gathered in the Bay, near the steps of the Senedd and around Mermaid Quay on Tuesday evening.
As police tried to move the groups along missiles were thrown and three officers suffered minor injuries. A knife was also found after police made an arrest.
At around 10pm, officers intervened in an incident of violent disorder in Cardiff Bay.
A 21-year-old man and a 16-yearold boy were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and have since been released on bail.
An investigation is ongoing to identify further participants in the disorder.
A statement from South Wales Police yesterday said: “During the course of the disturbance a number of missiles, including bottles, were thrown at officers. Three suffered minor injuries.”
An eyewitness, who saw the police making arrests from a nearby property, said: “It is usually a very safe area where I live near Mermaid Quay, but I was scared.
“There were 10-plus police vans, and around 50 police on the streets chasing people. There was fighting, spitting, no face masks, drink, drugs and violence. I really feel for the police and their families.”
Cardiff council leader Huw Thomas said he had met with police and health teams yesterday morning.
He said: “Intel suggests large numbers weren’t local, but from Caerphilly and elsewhere in Gwent, who refused police requests to disperse.”
The area outside the Senedd was left littered with rubbish including bottles,
cans, packaging and plastic bags where more than 100 people had congregated.
Talking about the amount of rubbish that was left in the Bay, Cllr Thomas added: “Large ‘event-style’ bins already provided, but clearly too much effort for these selfish idiots.”
Police were increasing patrols in the area yesterday as south Wales enjoyed another day of sunshine and warm temperatures.
On Tuesday evening officers had positioned themselves outside the Senedd to observe the crowd, with the building’s steps recently becoming a hotspot for gatherings since the nearby
Oval Basin was fenced off by Cardiff council to discourage people from meeting in large numbers.
Welsh Government Covid-19 rules mean people can only meet in groups of up to six people from two different households, while two-metre social distancing must be maintained from people not part of your household or extended household.
Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan Chief Inspector Tony Williams said: “The vast majority of people attending beauty spots throughout the area on Tuesday evening were doing so in accordance with current Covid restrictions and were respectful of others and the area they were visiting.
“We maintained a police presence at these locations to remind people of their obligations under the current restrictions.
“Crowds were dispersed at various points through the evening, and at around 10pm, officers were required to intervene in an incident of violent disorder in Cardiff Bay.
“Two people were arrested and a knife was also recovered from one of the suspects.
“The violence levelled at officers was despicable and will not be tolerated, nor will we tolerate the antisocial behaviour and criminality displayed by the minority on Tuesday evening.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have worked closely with our local authority partners to keep our communities safe and that approach will continue in the coming day and heading in to the bank holiday.
“Increased patrols will be carried out in key areas, and we will continue to liaise with the local authority and Welsh Government to consider implementation of measures which further enable us to keep our communities safe.
“We appreciate the past year has been tough on us all, and with the recent relaxation to travel restrictions and improved weather we fully expect some of our beauty spots to busier.
“I would, however, appeal to the public to take a sensible approach and to continue supporting the restrictions that do remain in place, to keep us all safe. Those breaching the regulations or engaging in ASB [antisocial behaviour] and criminality can expect to be subject to enforcement action.”
First Minister Mark Drakeford tweeted: “Behaviour such as this is unacceptable. We all have a personal responsibility to keep others safe, to respect each other and our beautiful shared public spaces.”
Health minister Vaughan Gething commented on the disorder on Twitter, saying: “Completely unacceptable behaviour.
“(Police) officers should not be subjected to this and the public will be deeply unimpressed. We’ve all made sacrifices to keep Wales safe – we still have responsibilities.”