The ‘mayhem’ faced by police after lockdown
TV SERIES LIFTS LID ON FORCE WORK DURING SUMMER BOOM
THE “mayhem” which faced police officers as tourists flocked to North Wales last summer will be showcased in the new series of a TV show.
Officers from North Wales Police will be shown having to cope with the huge influx of visitors which came after the second Covid lockdown ended.
Between June and September 2021 North Wales Police received 35,279 999 calls. That was 5,612 more than the previous summer.
The North Wales Police region covers a vast area – nearly a third of Wales’ land, and the problems that arise vary widely from area to area – from the cities of the east to the countryside in the west.
In a new series of Y Llinell Las on S4C, which starts today, April 13, viewers can follow the North Wales Police Roads Policing Unit in their dayto-day work.
With in-car, custody and body cameras, the series gives a completely honest portrayal of the work of the unit as they keep the general public and their communities safe.
We also get to know the ‘real’ men and women behind the jobs.
During the summer months, the population of North Wales increases by up to 30%, but due to Covid-19’s rules and restrictions on foreign travel, the area was busier than ever, with additional pressure on the authorities.
PC Rich Priamo, who has worked at the Roads Policing Unit for four years, said: “We had a busy summer as a result of Covid; the authorities were telling people to stay home so North Wales was gridlocked.
“The A55 was like the M25 – nobody could move; when we travel to get to urgent calls, we usually drive 120 to 140 miles an hour on the A55, but we were having to drive 12 to 14 miles an hour.
“Time is of the essence for us to reach scenes – and not just for us, but the ambulance and fire service as well.
“Arriving at a scene that would normally take 10 minutes would take half an hour. It was mayhem for us.”
In the first episode more is revealed about the pressure placed on the team as huge numbers of holidaymakers head to North Wales in the summer. The team are seen arriving at the scene of a motorbike accident and viewers get an insight into how they work with the Drone Unit to track down the thief of a stolen car.
One of the other police officers followed in the series is PC Dan Edwards, who has been part of the Roads Policing Unit for six years.
He said: “I joined North Wales Police in 2006 as a PCSO, then the plan from day one was to come onto the Traffic Department.
“I’ve always been a petrol head. A pursuit is not really what you want – it’s just too dangerous. You have to decide what’s dangerous and what’s not.
“As far back as I can remember – when I was six or seven years old, I always wanted to be a policeman. I’m not one who likes sitting in the office, I like being out there – that’s what keeps me going.”
● Y Llinell Las, Wednesday, April 13 at 9pm on S4C. On demand: S4C Clic, iPlayer and other platforms. English and Welsh subtitles available