A Section 35 dispersal order for Barry Island has been extended for a further 24 hours after large crowds gathered there, South Wales Police has said. The force said that they were aware of large crowds gathering in the Barry Island area on Monday (July 18) night.
There was heavy traffic in the area as a result of the crowds, South Wales Police said, advising people to "avoid the area unless essential" and announcing that a Section 35 order was now in place. A Facebook post from South Wales Police on Tuesday, July 19 announced that the order had been extended until 4pm on Wednesday, July 20.
The order gives officers the power to remove anyone under the age of 16 and take them to where they live or a safe place. Officers will also be able to instruct anybody who is causing, or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to leave an area.
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Inspector Stuart McDean from South Wales Police said: "The vast majority of people who visit our beautiful coastal areas behave appropriately and in accordance with the regulations. But we will not tolerate the behaviour of a minority who consume excess alcohol, litter and ruin the quiet enjoyment for law-abiding citizens.
"Anti-social behaviour and criminality has a detrimental impact on our communities and we will continue to proactively patrol key areas to prevent such activity." South Wales Police has also announced that an operation to "keep coastal areas of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan safe and family-friendly over the summer is underway."
"Following the success of last year, when the area experienced a 32% reduction in anti-social behaviour, #OperationElstree will once again involve increased patrols and where appropriate, dispersal powers," a Facebook post from South Wales Police read.
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