Police have issued a 48-hour dispersal order for a Cardiff city centre park following rumours of youngsters gathering in response to a teenager being stabbed. The section 35 dispersal order covers Victoria Park and gives officers additional powers to instruct anybody who is causing or is likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to leave the area from 7pm on Friday, June 17, until 7pm on Sunday, June 19.
It comes after a second teenager was arrested as police continue to investigate an alleged stabbing of a 14-year-old boy from Caerau. A 13-year-old boy from Riverside was initially arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. On Friday South Wales Police said a 16-year-old boy from Canton had subsequently been arrested in connection with the assault. He has been released on bail pending further inquiries.
Superintendent Michelle Conquer said: “We are aware of rumours of further gatherings of youths in the area over the coming days and we will be increasing our presence in the area to reassure local residents and help prevent a repeat of last weekend’s incidents. The decision has been made amid the concerns about the potential for disturbance to issue a section 35 dispersal order. It applies to those aged 10 years and over and will be in place for 48 hours from 7pm this evening (Friday, June 17).”
Officers will also have the power to seize any property which they suspect is being used to cause anti-social behaviour. Superintendent Conquer added: “We have put the order in place as a preventative measure and officers won’t hesitate to enforce the extra powers afforded to them. We urge parents, carers, and teachers to speak to young people about the dangers of carrying a knife.”
Police want to trace anybody who was in the area at the time of the stabbing and may have witnessed what happened or has information or footage regarding those involved. Anyone with information can contact South Wales Police via 101 or online here quoting reference number *196789.
