Independent shop owners in Cardiff's Cowbridge Road East are all too familiar with the depressing effect crime and disorder can have on business. Last year anti-social behaviour in the well-known street reached the point where customers were afraid of walking down the road and businesses suffered.
After lockdown the road struggled with people publicly drinking on benches outside Tesco Express. In September 2022 police began issuing dispersal notices to try and tackle the behaviour.
Richard Swambo, of Laura’s Greengrocers, said in September: “It seems to be a game of cat and mouse…I’m not sure that it’s working.” One shop owner, who did not want to be named, said at the time: “I have had products stolen and I had a person come into my shop with a toy gun. I’ve also had my mobile phone stolen while I was working.”
