Police want owners of bars and other late-night venues in Swansea city centre to demonstrate that their venues don't create a cumulative impact when they apply for new licences. Although data up to 2021-22 shows a reduction in violent and anti-social behaviour incidents in areas such as Wind Street and The Kingsway, police chiefs fear that a relaxation of the licensing rules would lead to more late-night drinking establishments and a resulting increase on officer demands.
Now, following a consultation, they have asked Swansea Council to re-introduce a so-called cumulative impact policy. South Wales Police said in a submission to the council that any expansion of the late-night economy would have consequences for policing, and that these consequences would be felt throughout the force's Swansea and Neath Port Talbot division.
The submission said: "The bottom line is that when venues close their doors and customers leave, responsibility to manage the situation on the streets rests firmly with police, being the lead agency and only agency consistently present late at night, hence a framework to regulate this environment is welcome."
