Crackdown after city ‘stabbing’

OFFICERS in a Cardiff suburb have been given extra powers to prevent anti-social behaviour after an alleged stabbing.

An order has been put in place after what police described as a stabbing incident and concerns of violence, drug dealing and associated anti-social behaviour in Butetown.

At around 7.45pm on Monday a report was received that a man had been stabbed in Waverley Square, Butetown.

One man was taken to hospital, where he was reported to be in a stable condition.

Seven men aged 18 to 28 were arrested and enquiries are ongoing.

A dispersal order, which is granted under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, was put in place from noon on Tuesday until noon today in the Butetown area.

Under Section 35 of the Act, police officers can instruct anybody who is causing, or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to leave the area as illustrated in the map. Officers can also seize any property which they suspect is being used to cause anti-social behaviour.

Inspector Abi Biddle from South Wales Police said: “The dispersal order is in place [for 48 hours] as a preventative measure. We will have an increased presence in Butetown and officers won’t hesitate to enforce the extra powers afforded to them in order to keep the community safe.

“We urge parents and guardians to speak to their young people about not getting involved in drugs and drug dealing.”

South Wales Police say they have a zero-tolerance approach to drug dealing and this dispersal order is just one example of the work they are doing.

A spokeswoman said: “We can, and regularly do, act upon the information provided to us by the public, so please keep it coming.

“Anyone with suspicions or information about illegal drug supply is urged to contact us.”