Disturbances break out in Cardiff Bay
POLICE have sought extra powers to deal with anti-social behaviour after “unsavoury scenes” in Cardiff Bay on Saturday evening.
South Wales Police were called to Roald Dahl Plass on Saturday where they said they were monitoring the situation after a large number of people had gathered. Police said a “small number” of people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly after several disturbances broke out.
Pictures showed the clear-up of litter on Sunday morning which included small canisters commonly associated with nitrous oxide and large amounts of alcohol packaging.
South Wales Police have now put a Section 35 Dispersal Order in place for the Mermaid Quay area so officers have extra powers to deal with people acting in an anti-social manner.
The order gives a uniformed police officer the power to exclude a person from an area for a period of up to 48 hours by issuing a written notice. Section 35 orders have already been put in place at beauty spots in Port Talbot and Swansea after mass gatherings resulted in anti-social behaviour.
The power is preventative and allows an officer to deal quickly with someone’s behaviour before it escalates. It is in addition to the current Covid-19 legislation.
Chief Inspector Michelle Conquer said: “There were some unsavoury scenes in Cardiff Bay yesterday which required officers to step in and make arrests.
“Much of it was alcohol fuelled, so we are working with licensees and taking additional policing measures to ensure there is no repeat.
“It’s important that Cardiff Bay remains a place for everybody to enjoy without the threat of feeling intimidated or worried about the actions of others. Such behaviour won’t be tolerated.”
Section 35 dispersal orders under the AntiSocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, aim to ensure the safety of the public, and reduce the risk of any anti-social behaviour or disorder within this area.
South Wales Police said it will also be using powers to confiscate alcohol and if the behaviour meets criminal levels or the order is breached then prosecution will be considered.
Anyone with information on anti-social behaviour is urged to call police on 101.