Police have used dispersal orders in at least 13 places across Wales this year. The crackdowns dealt with issues ranging from drunkenness at the beach to troublemakers at McDonald's.
The Section 35 powers mean officers can exclude people from an area for up to 48 hours if they are considered to pose a risk of antisocial behaviour causing people harassment, alarm or distress. The orders also allow officers to take under-16s away from the dispersal area and to a safe place.
Here are 13 areas of Wales where police are known to have imposed dispersal orders at some point this year. One of the orders followed reports of youths on scooters "terrorising" people, while another came after reports of takeaway staff being abused.
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Barry Island
South Wales Police issued a 24-hour dispersal order for Barry Island on July 18, which was then extended for a further 24 hours, amid concerns of groups consuming "excess alcohol". The force said large crowds had been gathering in the area.
Police advised people at the time to "avoid the area unless essential". The order gave officers powers to remove anyone under the age of 16 and take them to a safe place. They could also order anyone "likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress" to leave.
Inspector Stuart McDean said at the time: "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."
Victoria Park, Cardiff
South Wales Police secured a 48-hour dispersal order for Victoria Park in Cardiff on June 17 following reports of youngsters gathering in response to an alleged stabbing. A 14-year-old boy from Caerau was reported to have been knifed on June 12.
Superintendent Michelle Conquer said at the time: “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... We urge parents, carers, and teachers to speak to young people about the dangers of carrying a knife.”
Caerau, Cardiff
South Wales Police announced a 24-hour dispersal order in the Cardiff suburb on February 22 after locals complained of a spate of antisocial behaviour. One resident told WalesOnline the neighbourhood had been plagued for months by "gangs going around on their scooters, terrorising people".
The order, which covered a large part of Cowbridge Road West and Caerau Lane, gave police the power to remove anyone under 16 and take them to a safe place. Caerau resident Brian Davies said at the time: "It'll be because of the [Lidl] supermarket there. The sheltered area of the shop is not shut off at night, so you get kids — maybe 13 or 14 — hanging around there in big groups. They've got motorbikes, and you see them driving at cars, things like that. Causing trouble really."
Brian's wife Diane added: "They just look at you, they don't care. You say anything to them and they just shout at you."
A police spokesperson said at the time: “This type of antisocial behaviour just won’t be tolerated in our communities which is why we have put in place this dispersal order which gives officers extra powers to arrest anyone causing problems, remove anyone under the age of 16 and take them home or to a safe place. We have extra officers out patrolling to keep things in check.”
Llanelli
More than 30 young people were moved on by police on January 16 after gathering and causing trouble at a Llanelli McDonald's. Dyfed-Powys Police received reports on the Sunday evening that youths were behaving antisocially at the Trostre retail park restaurant and in the car park. The force put a dispersal order in place for the evening as "a deterrent to other young people who were planning on attending the area".
A spokesperson for McDonald’s said at the time: "We are aware of some long-term antisocial behaviour issues which have impacted the retail park and surrounding area, and we continue to play a leading role as a business working to combat this by working closely with the local police."
The force then received reports on the evening of March 29 that more than 100 youths had gathered to set off fireworks in Llanelli's People's Park. Officers cleared the area with a dispersal order which also covered Burry Port, Llanelli Town and the Swiss Valley Reservoir areas.
Ebbw Vale town centre
A burglary took place on the evening of January 13 as windows were smashed at All Saints Catholic Primary School in Heol-Yr-Ysgol, Ebbw Vale. Around £100 in cash was stolen.
Later that evening damage was reported to the B&M store on Bethcar Street and Poundstretcher on The Walk. Police dubbed the incidents "mindless damage" and put a dispersal order in place across the town centre over the following weekend.
Adamsdown, Splott and Tremorfa in Cardiff
South Wales Police put in place a 48-hour dispersal order on July 22 allowing them to order anyone behaving antisocially to leave parts of Adamsdown, Splott and Tremorfa. Officers could also seize any property suspected of being used in antisocial behaviour.
Local policing inspector Gerallt Hughes said at the time: “We have put the Section 35 [order] in place as a preventative measure. We will have an increased presence in the specific areas outlined and won’t hesitate to enforce the extra powers afforded to them."
Cwmbran
Gwent Police issued a 48-hour dispersal order in Cwmbran on April 22 following reports of antisocial behaviour in the town. The order covered the town centre, bus station and nearby residential streets.
Police warned that anyone involved in antisocial behaviour would be told to leave, and if they returned they would face arrest. The force said at the time: "While dispersal orders are in place, especially during the Easter break, we’d ask that parents ensure they know where their children are and continue to speak to them about the impact their behaviour can have on our towns and neighbours.”
Ystrad, Rhondda
South Wales Police put a 24-hour dispersal order in place on March 20 allowing them to exclude anyone from a large area of Ystrad, Rhondda. Officers had received intelligence that a group of youths were planning a "disturbance". The area extended about a mile between the Ystrad railway station and the Tonypandy Asda superstore, said police.
Rhyl
Police hit Rhyl with a 24-hour dispersal order on January 17 following reports of "unacceptable" behaviour in the seaside resort. PC Matt Jones said at the time: "This evening North Wales Police have dealt with numerous youths in the Rhyl town centre causing antisocial behaviour affecting the quality of life members of the public going about their lawful business."
Rhos on Sea and Colwyn Bay
North Wales Police put a 48-hour dispersal order in place on May 27 in Rhos on Sea and Colwyn Bay. The force said anyone suspected of antisocial behaviour would be told to leave the area. The police statement revealed the decision was due to "recent incidents in Rhos on Sea and intelligence to suggest the possibility of large gatherings in Colwyn Bay over the weekend".
Denbigh
North Wales Police announced a 48-hour dispersal order would be in place from the evening of May 20 following reports of youths gathering and some causing criminal damage and "intimidation" to residents and businesses. At the time the force urged parents to help them prevent escalation and warned there could be criminal convictions.
Buckley
North Wales Police secured a 48-hour dispersal order for the Flintshire town from February 11 after groups failed to "heed the warnings". It came after a series of reports of staff and customers at shops and takeaways being abused and property being damaged. In one incident a bike was ridden around inside a store. The force warned that punishments for flouting instructions to leave could include a £2,500 fine.
Wrexham
North Wales Police put a dispersal order in place in Wrexham between 7am on May 8 and 2am on May 9 due to Wrexham AFC taking on Stockport County in an important game. The order covered most of the town centre as police expected Wrexham’s bars to be extremely busy throughout the day.
Inspector Luke Hughes said at the time: “The dispersal order has been implemented to help keep people safe and prevent crime and disorder. Officers will have additional powers to disperse people from these areas and they will ensure that anyone intent on causing disorder is dealt with swiftly and robustly.”
What police say about dispersal orders
South Wales Police's Superintendent Tony Williams said: “The decision to use a dispersal order is based on reasonable grounds to suspect that its use is necessary to remove or reduce the likelihood of members of the public being harassed, alarmed or distressed at a specific location and its use is always carefully considered in order to minimise the disruption to the community."
"Crime and antisocial behaviour have a damaging effect on victims and communities and preventing this type of behaviour occurring through balanced use of dispersal orders is far more favourable than having to respond to its impact.”
And Gwent Police's temporary Chief Superintendent Carl Williams said: “It's unacceptable for people to act in a way which causes misery and frustration to other members of the public. Officers have a range of tactics available to them, including dispersal orders, to tackle this type of offending... This type of behaviour will not be tolerated by Gwent Police and we will continue to take action against anyone intent on causing harm and disorder in our communities." You can read more crime news here.
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