#antisocial-behaviour — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #antisocial-behaviour, aggregated by home.social.
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Pam the Bird graffiti vandal in stand-off with police on Melbourne bridge
A trespasser remains attached to a 140- metre-high tower of the Bolte Bridge in Melbourne after spray-painting the surface with the notorious graffiti symbol.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-07/pam-the-bird-bolte-bridge-police/106887056
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Pam the Bird graffiti vandal in stand-off with police on Melbourne bridge
A trespasser remains attached to a 140- metre-high tower of the Bolte Bridge in Melbourne after spray-painting the surface with the notorious graffiti symbol.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-07/pam-the-bird-bolte-bridge-police/106887056
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Pam the Bird graffiti vandal in stand-off with police on Melbourne bridge
A trespasser remains attached to a 140- metre-high tower of the Bolte Bridge in Melbourne after spray-painting the surface with the notorious graffiti symbol.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-07/pam-the-bird-bolte-bridge-police/106887056
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Pam the Bird graffiti vandal in stand-off with police on Melbourne bridge
A trespasser remains attached to a 140- metre-high tower of the Bolte Bridge in Melbourne after spray-painting the surface with the notorious graffiti symbol.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-07/pam-the-bird-bolte-bridge-police/106887056
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Pam the Bird graffiti vandal in stand-off with police on Melbourne bridge
A trespasser remains attached to a 140- metre-high tower of the Bolte Bridge in Melbourne after spray-painting the surface with the notorious graffiti symbol.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-07/pam-the-bird-bolte-bridge-police/106887056
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'Disgusting' antisemitic graffiti sprayed on Anzac landmark
By Andrew ChoundingSwastikas and anti-Jewish abuse were discovered spray-painted on rocks and the historic Plantagenet Battery along Western Australia's south coast.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-06/anti-semitic-graffiti-plantagenet-battery-albany/106885674
#AntisocialBehaviour #Racism #RegionalCommunities #AndrewChounding
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'Disgusting' antisemitic graffiti sprayed on Anzac landmark
By Andrew ChoundingSwastikas and anti-Jewish abuse were discovered spray-painted on rocks and the historic Plantagenet Battery along Western Australia's south coast.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-06/anti-semitic-graffiti-plantagenet-battery-albany/106885674
#AntisocialBehaviour #Racism #RegionalCommunities #AndrewChounding
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'Disgusting' antisemitic graffiti sprayed on Anzac landmark
By Andrew ChoundingSwastikas and anti-Jewish abuse were discovered spray-painted on rocks and the historic Plantagenet Battery along Western Australia's south coast.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-06/anti-semitic-graffiti-plantagenet-battery-albany/106885674
#AntisocialBehaviour #Racism #RegionalCommunities #AndrewChounding
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'Disgusting' antisemitic graffiti sprayed on Anzac landmark
By Andrew ChoundingSwastikas and anti-Jewish abuse were discovered spray-painted on rocks and the historic Plantagenet Battery along Western Australia's south coast.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-06/anti-semitic-graffiti-plantagenet-battery-albany/106885674
#AntisocialBehaviour #Racism #RegionalCommunities #AndrewChounding
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'Disgusting' antisemitic graffiti sprayed on Anzac landmark
By Andrew ChoundingSwastikas and anti-Jewish abuse were discovered spray-painted on rocks and the historic Plantagenet Battery along Western Australia's south coast.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-06/anti-semitic-graffiti-plantagenet-battery-albany/106885674
#AntisocialBehaviour #Racism #RegionalCommunities #AndrewChounding
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LLANSTEFFAN: Dispersal order threat after up to 100 youths descend on beach and castle
Police have warned parents after a crowd of between 80 and 100 young people caused trouble at Llansteffan beach and castle on Saturday night — drinking, littering and climbing the walls of the Grade I listed monument.
Police have threatened to impose a dispersal order at Llansteffan after up to 100 youths descended on the village’s beach and castle on Saturday night.
Officers from the Carmarthen neighbourhood policing team said they were made aware of a group of between 80 and 100 young people at the beach and castle area on Saturday (4 July).
The group were causing anti-social behaviour by drinking, littering and climbing the castle walls, Dyfed-Powys Police said.
The behaviour caused distress to members of the public, according to the force.
Police issued a direct warning to parents dropping their children off in the area — saying any offences reported or witnessed will be dealt with by officers and other relevant agencies.
That includes parents knowingly buying alcohol for their children to take to the location, the force said.
“We will not tolerate this behaviour and want our beaches and castles to be places that families can all visit throughout the summer,” the force said in a statement.
Officers warned that if the behaviour continues, they will look to put a Section 34 dispersal order in place.
The power, under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, allows a senior officer to authorise a dispersal zone — with officers then able to direct people to leave the area and ban them from returning for up to 48 hours.
Failing to comply with a direction to leave is a criminal offence and can lead to arrest.
Llansteffan Castle is a Grade I listed monument in the care of Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, with its earliest fortifications dating to the 12th century.
Perched on a headland overlooking the Tywi estuary, the castle and the beach below draw thousands of visitors each summer.
It is the second time this summer the castle has found itself at the centre of police attention — offensive graffiti was sprayed across the walls of the North Tower and East Bastion in May.
The force’s Rural Crime Team treats damage of that kind as heritage crime — handled with the same seriousness as criminal damage anywhere else — and its appeal over the graffiti, believed daubed between 1 and 10 May, remains open.
Anyone witnessing offences at the site can report them to Dyfed-Powys Police online or by calling 101 — or 999 if a crime is in progress.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Mindless vandals spray offensive graffiti all over ancient Llansteffan Castle — and police want to know who did it
Dyfed-Powys Police are investigating after offensive graffiti was sprayed across the castle’s ancient stonework in May.Public urged to help protect historic sites after vandalism at Neath Abbey
A similar appeal after one of Neath’s most historic monuments was targeted by vandals.Family winched to safety after tide forces them up cliff near Llansteffan
#antiSocialBehaviour #CADW #DyfedPowysPolice #Llansteffan #LlansteffanBeach #LlansteffanCastle #section35DispersalOrder
A dramatic rescue on the coastline that draws thousands of visitors to Llansteffan each summer. -
12yo boy allegedly with machete arrested at Adelaide shopping strip
A 12-year-old boy who allegedly had a machete concealed in his pants was among four boys arrested in Rundle Mall over two days.
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12yo boy allegedly with machete arrested at Adelaide shopping strip
A 12-year-old boy who allegedly had a machete concealed in his pants was among four boys arrested in Rundle Mall over two days.
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12yo boy allegedly with machete arrested at Adelaide shopping strip
A 12-year-old boy who allegedly had a machete concealed in his pants was among four boys arrested in Rundle Mall over two days.
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12yo boy allegedly with machete arrested at Adelaide shopping strip
A 12-year-old boy who allegedly had a machete concealed in his pants was among four boys arrested in Rundle Mall over two days.
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12yo boy allegedly with machete arrested at Adelaide shopping strip
A 12-year-old boy who allegedly had a machete concealed in his pants was among four boys arrested in Rundle Mall over two days.
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NT Police says new public safety officers on the beat from today will receive the same firearms training as constables
The Northern Territory Police Force has reassured Territorians that new public safety officers have done sufficient training to…
#Australia #antisocialbehaviour #AU #Austrlia #firearms #guns #gunsonbuses #housingofficers #PPSO #publicsafety #publicsafetyofficers #publictransport #training
https://www.europesays.com/australia/40287/ -
Motorised bikes
First they put e-bikes on the market, then it is a long wait for regulation of illegal high-powered 'motorbikes' on shared pathways and beaches.There has been "...alleged antisocial and criminal behaviour involving a group of youths riding e-bikes in the Moonee and North Sapphire Beach areas."
"The claims echo concerns being raised in communities right across the state. For many locals, the issue isn’t just legality. It’s safety on shared pathways residents once felt confident using every day." >>
https://coffscoast.newsofthearea.com.au/technology-outpaces-the-law-on-e-bikes
#pedestrians #motorists #Ebike #safety #regulation #beaches #MooneeBeach #NorthSapphireBeach #Sawtell #CoffsHarbour #NSW #MotorVehicles #MobilityDesign #ActiveTansportInfrastructure
#MidNorthCoast #SapphireBeach #NorthSapphireBeachPlayground #parenting #AntisocialBehaviour #DissocialBehaviours #crime -
Motorised bikes
First they put e-bikes on the market, then it is a long wait for regulation of illegal high-powered 'motorbikes' on shared pathways and beaches.There has been "...alleged antisocial and criminal behaviour involving a group of youths riding e-bikes in the Moonee and North Sapphire Beach areas."
"The claims echo concerns being raised in communities right across the state. For many locals, the issue isn’t just legality. It’s safety on shared pathways residents once felt confident using every day." >>
https://coffscoast.newsofthearea.com.au/technology-outpaces-the-law-on-e-bikes
#pedestrians #motorists #Ebike #safety #regulation #beaches #MooneeBeach #NorthSapphireBeach #Sawtell #CoffsHarbour #NSW #MotorVehicles #MobilityDesign #ActiveTansportInfrastructure
#MidNorthCoast #SapphireBeach #NorthSapphireBeachPlayground #parenting #AntisocialBehaviour #DissocialBehaviours #crime -
Motorised bikes
First they put e-bikes on the market, then it is a long wait for regulation of illegal high-powered 'motorbikes' on shared pathways and beaches.There has been "...alleged antisocial and criminal behaviour involving a group of youths riding e-bikes in the Moonee and North Sapphire Beach areas."
"The claims echo concerns being raised in communities right across the state. For many locals, the issue isn’t just legality. It’s safety on shared pathways residents once felt confident using every day." >>
https://coffscoast.newsofthearea.com.au/technology-outpaces-the-law-on-e-bikes
#pedestrians #motorists #Ebike #safety #regulation #beaches #MooneeBeach #NorthSapphireBeach #Sawtell #CoffsHarbour #NSW #MotorVehicles #MobilityDesign #ActiveTansportInfrastructure
#MidNorthCoast #SapphireBeach #NorthSapphireBeachPlayground #parenting #AntisocialBehaviour #DissocialBehaviours #crime -
Motorised bikes
First they put e-bikes on the market, then it is a long wait for regulation of illegal high-powered 'motorbikes' on shared pathways and beaches.There has been "...alleged antisocial and criminal behaviour involving a group of youths riding e-bikes in the Moonee and North Sapphire Beach areas."
"The claims echo concerns being raised in communities right across the state. For many locals, the issue isn’t just legality. It’s safety on shared pathways residents once felt confident using every day." >>
https://coffscoast.newsofthearea.com.au/technology-outpaces-the-law-on-e-bikes
#pedestrians #motorists #Ebike #safety #regulation #beaches #MooneeBeach #NorthSapphireBeach #Sawtell #CoffsHarbour #NSW #MotorVehicles #MobilityDesign #ActiveTansportInfrastructure
#MidNorthCoast #SapphireBeach #NorthSapphireBeachPlayground #parenting #AntisocialBehaviour #DissocialBehaviours #crime -
Motorised bikes
First they put e-bikes on the market, then it is a long wait for regulation of illegal high-powered 'motorbikes' on shared pathways and beaches.There has been "...alleged antisocial and criminal behaviour involving a group of youths riding e-bikes in the Moonee and North Sapphire Beach areas."
"The claims echo concerns being raised in communities right across the state. For many locals, the issue isn’t just legality. It’s safety on shared pathways residents once felt confident using every day." >>
https://coffscoast.newsofthearea.com.au/technology-outpaces-the-law-on-e-bikes
#pedestrians #motorists #Ebike #safety #regulation #beaches #MooneeBeach #NorthSapphireBeach #Sawtell #CoffsHarbour #NSW #MotorVehicles #MobilityDesign #ActiveTansportInfrastructure
#MidNorthCoast #SapphireBeach #NorthSapphireBeachPlayground #parenting #AntisocialBehaviour #DissocialBehaviours #crime -
LANGLAND: Police bring in dispersal order at Langland Bay after anti-social behaviour reports
Police have put a dispersal order in place at Langland Bay after a rise in reports of anti-social behaviour.
The Section 35 order gives officers the power to move on anyone involved in anti-social behaviour in the area, which includes the popular beachside car park.
South Wales Police said the order would remain in place until 6pm on Friday, 26 June.
It covers Langland Bay Road, the car park, the seafront and the beach itself, as shown on a map released by the force.
The area covered by the Section 35 dispersal order at Langland Bay, including the car park. (Image: South Wales Police)A Section 35 dispersal order is a temporary power that lets officers direct people to leave a defined area, and not return within a set period, where anti-social behaviour is causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
The force said it had acted following increased reports of anti-social behaviour in the area.
Inspector Simon Trick said officers wanted people to be able to enjoy the coast during the hot spell, but to do so considerately.
“We want everyone to enjoy our beachfront areas in Swansea and the Gower during this hot weather, but they must be respectful of others around them,” he said.
“Our officers are working with nearby community leaders in order to identify local ASB problems which require solving.”
The order comes during a spell of record-breaking heat that has drawn large crowds to the coast across Swansea and Gower.
It is not the first time hot-weather crowds have brought trouble to the region’s beaches. At Easter, police dealt with disorder at Aberavon after a lifebuoy was set alight, while officers recently stepped up patrols at Briton Ferry over fears of a bank holiday gathering.
Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour in the area can contact South Wales Police.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Lifebuoy set on fire on Aberavon beach during Easter disorder
Police and coastguard warned the vandalism could have had dire consequences.Police ring around Briton Ferry docks over bank holiday rave fears
Officers stepped up patrols amid concerns about a planned gathering.Everything you need to know as Swansea Bay faces its hottest day
#antiSocialBehaviour #antisocialBehaviour #Gower #LanglandBay #Mumbles #section35DispersalOrder #SouthWalesPolice
The record heat that has drawn crowds to the coast. -
https://www.europesays.com/britain/68005/ UK city set to become first to ban balaclavas over masked youths | UK | News #AntiSocialBehaviour #BalaclavaBan #Crime #Nottingham #OperationReclaim #police #UK #UnitedKingdom
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https://www.europesays.com/videos/46059/ Tackling anti-social behaviour in Bodmin | ITV West Country (South West) #AntisocialBehaviour #ApricotCentre #BankNotes #Bodmin #Cornwall #Devon #farming #hares #hedgehogs #itv #ItvNews #ITVNewsInFull #PrinceOfWales
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DYFED-POWYS: Police don’t fully understand young adult crime in their own area, watchdog finds
Dyfed-Powys Police does not fully understand the pattern of crime committed by young adults in its own force area, a review by the region’s policing watchdog has found.
The review, by the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Select Committee, looked at how well crime and anti-social behaviour services support 18 to 25-year-olds across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.
It concluded that the force “does not fully understand their crime and ASB offending age profiles” — a gap the committee says makes it harder to know where help should be aimed.
When the review began, the force was unable to provide a breakdown of anti-social behaviour offences by the age of the offender at all.
In a further gap, the gender of offenders aged 18 to 25 was recorded as “unknown” or left blank in 60% of certain out-of-court outcomes during 2024.
The committee said this lack of detail made it harder to judge whether different approaches were needed for different groups, and where intervention would work best.
It has recommended the force build a dedicated profile of crime by this age group, and update its data systems so that age is routinely recorded across all its figures.
The review also raised concerns about how often young adults are steered into help instead of prosecution.
A type of resolution known as Outcome 22, which diverts offenders into education or other intervention rather than court, was used just three times for 18 to 25-year-olds in the whole of 2024.
By contrast, it was used 142 times for under-18s.
The committee asked whether the diversion schemes were simply not in place for adults, or whether officers were “less inclined to promote diversion after an offender turns 18”.
It also highlighted what happens when young people turn 18 and existing support falls away.
Council youth services often stop at 18, while the Probation service generally only becomes involved once a young adult has already offended — leaving what the report describes as a gap over who is responsible for this age group.
One young person who responded to the review said they had lost a support worker they had bonded with. “I was arrested for anti-social behaviour … the services aren’t long enough,” they said.
The review found young adults were an outlier in one respect — mental health. The force reported a rise in people aged 16 to 25 coming to police in crisis, often linked to self-harm, a trend it said had been climbing since the Covid pandemic.
The report pointed to the importance of agencies being able to respond, referencing the independent review into the 2024 knife attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, in which a pupil was later sentenced for attempting to murder two teachers and a fellow pupil.
In its response, Dyfed-Powys Police acknowledged a training gap and said a dedicated trainer and analyst would be brought in to improve how officers identify and refer young people into support.
The force pointed to its INTACT early-intervention programme, which works to steer those up to 25 away from serious violence and exploitation, and to its first dedicated mental health conference, held in 2025.
Among the services praised by young people was Swansea City AFC Foundation’s Premier League Kicks, which uses free football sessions to engage young people and was one of the best-known schemes in the survey.
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said the review had given “an important area a spotlight”, and that listening to young adults’ voices had been central to shaping its recommendations.
The Select Committee will ask the relevant agencies for an update on progress in six months.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Dyfed-Powys Police boost patrols to crack down on rural crime
The force set out a new strategy promising more patrols and stronger community ties.Ifan Charles named preferred candidate for Dyfed-Powys Chief Constable
The PCC announced his preferred candidate to lead the force.Teenage girl sentenced to 15 years for attempted murder at Ammanford school
#antiSocialBehaviour #antisocialBehaviour #DyfedPowysPolice #PoliceAndCrimeCommissioner #youthCrime
The conclusion of the Ysgol Dyffryn Aman case. -
https://www.europesays.com/britain/57824/ Holiday alert as UK town plans £56 tax targeting ‘selfish’ visitors | UK | News #AntiSocialBehaviour #BournemouthVisitorTax #DomesticTourismDecline #ParkingFinesIncrease #Tourism #TouristTax #UK #UnitedKingdom
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https://www.europesays.com/videos/38171/ A victim of cowboy builders says they ruined her husband’s final years | ITV News Meridian (East) #AntisocialBehaviour #beaches #COWBOYBUILDERS #itv #ITVMeridian #ItvNews #ITVNewsInFull #kent #Maidstone #police #Sittingbourne #Sussex #TradingStandards
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https://www.europesays.com/ie/512218/ ‘What’s going on with teenagers in Ireland?’: Do we have a problem with youth crime? #AnGardaSiochana #AntiSocialBehaviour #BreakingNews #BreakingNews #dublin #Éire #FeaturedNews #FeaturedNews #Headlines #IE #Ireland #JuvenileJustice #LatestNews #LatestNews #MainNews #MainNews #News #PublicOrder #PublicSafety #teenagers #TopStories #TopStories #YouthCrime
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‘What’s going on with teenagers in Ireland?’: Do we have a problem with youth crime? https://www.byteseu.com/2066522/ #AnGardaSiochana #AntiSocialBehaviour #dublin #Ireland #JuvenileJustice #PublicOrder #PublicSafety #Teenagers #YouthCrime
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MUMBLES: Plaid MS calls on politicians to cut ties with ‘toxic’ far-right group over skate park racism video
A Plaid Cymru MS has called on politicians across all parties to cut ties with a far-right group, after it posted a video about the NHS doctor racially abused near Mumbles skate park.
Gwyn Williams MS, one of the three Plaid Cymru Members of the Senedd for Gŵyr Abertawe, said the group should be shut out of mainstream politics altogether.
His intervention puts the focus on his constituency counterpart Francesca O’Brien MS, the Reform UK member who was among the first politicians to condemn the original abuse. Asked whether she would join the call and for her view on the video, O’Brien set out the steps she has taken since the incident.
Dr Haroon Ali, a Swansea NHS doctor, described being subjected to racist abuse near the skate park on Saturday 16 May while leaving with his two sons, aged five and two. He said three teenagers on bikes and scooters shouted a racial slur at the family repeatedly, and South Wales Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime.
In his original public account, Dr Ali said he had “no doubt” that certain local politicians had contributed to a rise in overt racism in the area, and called on them to stand firm in opposing it.
Williams said Voice of Wales had since produced a video that he described as victim-blaming the doctor. He said the group had targeted Dr Ali because of his activity for the Labour Party — something Williams said “in no way lessens what happened” and had made the episode worse for the family.
“I believe the Voice of Wales had no place in the legitimate political processes of our country and it behoves all politicians to distance themselves from this toxic group of people,” Williams said.
He said the responsibility for challenging racism lay with everyone. “It is our duty to call out racism whenever we see it and that includes with our own friends and family,” he said. “The path to an equal society begins at home.”
Williams added that the incident did not define the city. “Swansea is a good city full of good people and the extremists do not represent us,” he said.
He said he could not comment on the specifics of the case because it was a police matter, but urged anyone who experienced racist abuse to report it and not to be deterred by far-right activity online.
O’Brien, a former Mumbles councillor who was named Reform UK’s shadow minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning this month, condemned the abuse in the strongest terms when the story first broke.
In a statement to Swansea Bay News this week, she said: “Racism is intolerable, unacceptable, and has no place in our communities or anywhere in society.” She said her priority had been to support those affected and to bring people together.
O’Brien said she had invited Dr Ali to work with her on a constructive community response, and had not wanted the matter to “descend into an angry social media debate that ultimately achieves very little and risks creating further division.”
She said she had contacted the local Neighbourhood Policing Inspector to offer her support, and that the inspector had not been aware of the incident when they spoke. Police have since shared a social media appeal for witnesses.
O’Brien said that on 20 May she had given Dr Ali several dates when she would be available to meet, and that she was “currently awaiting a response” from him.
She also said she had been in contact with Mumbles Community Council, which manages the skate park, about CCTV. O’Brien said she had learnt that Swansea Council had not granted the community council permission to use nearby lampposts to install cameras, and that she would continue to press the matter.
In her response, O’Brien focused on the practical steps she has taken rather than the video or Williams’s call for politicians to disavow the group. She said that “while other politicians are keen to discuss other media outlets and are clearly more interested in me thanking members of the public, on a post I was tagged in, I am getting on with the job.”
Williams was elected for Gŵyr Abertawe on 7 May, when Plaid Cymru topped the poll in the constituency.
Voice of Wales said it was an independent media team that questioned politicians of all parties, and rejected the idea that anyone needed to “cut ties” with it. “That’s easy — there are no ties. We don’t work with any party,” it said, adding that it was entitled to approach elected representatives and ask questions as a free press.
The Chief Officer of Mumbles Community Council said they were “deeply concerned” by reports of racial abuse in the community, adding that behaviour leaving people feeling intimidated or unwelcome “has no place here.”
The community council urged people to report any hate-related incidents to police, and asked that online discussion remain “calm, constructive and respectful” rather than becoming “politically divisive.”
It also pointed to positive work locally, including the Flip the Streets project, which challenges racism and anti-social behaviour through youth engagement and art. A community mural day was due to be held at the skate park on Sunday, with young people helping to transform the site.
Anyone with information about the incident on Saturday 16 May can contact South Wales Police on 101, quoting reference 2600152970. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
MUMBLES: ‘My sons were shocked and scared’ — NHS doctor speaks out after racist abuse near Mumbles skate park
The Swansea NHS doctor’s account of the abuse that sparked a police hate crime investigation.SWANSEA: Francesca O’Brien handed housing and planning brief as Reform UK names its first ever Senedd shadow cabinet
The Gŵyr Abertawe MS’s appointment to Reform UK’s first shadow cabinet.Funding secured for Mumbles skatepark
How more than £270,000 of National Lottery funding helped build the skate park.Community council asks for views on Mumbles skatepark
#antiSocialBehaviour #featured #FrancescaOBrienMS #GwynWilliams #hateCrime #Mumbles #PlaidCymru #ReformUK #SkatePark #SouthWalesPolice #VoiceOfWales
The consultation on the park’s future development. -
New Security Operations Centre is the first on Britain’s railways http://dlvr.it/TSncyJ #Antisocialbehaviour #BritishTransportPolice
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New Security Operations Centre is the first on Britain’s railways http://dlvr.it/TSncyJ #Antisocialbehaviour #BritishTransportPolice
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New Security Operations Centre is the first on Britain’s railways http://dlvr.it/TSncyJ #Antisocialbehaviour #BritishTransportPolice
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New Security Operations Centre is the first on Britain’s railways http://dlvr.it/TSncyJ #Antisocialbehaviour #BritishTransportPolice
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New Security Operations Centre is the first on Britain’s railways http://dlvr.it/TSncyJ #Antisocialbehaviour #BritishTransportPolice
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New Security Operations Centre is the first on Britain’s railways http://dlvr.it/TSncZn #Antisocialbehaviour #BritishTransportPolice
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New Security Operations Centre is the first on Britain’s railways http://dlvr.it/TSncZn #Antisocialbehaviour #BritishTransportPolice
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New Security Operations Centre is the first on Britain’s railways http://dlvr.it/TSncZn #Antisocialbehaviour #BritishTransportPolice
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New Security Operations Centre is the first on Britain’s railways http://dlvr.it/TSncZn #Antisocialbehaviour #BritishTransportPolice
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New Security Operations Centre is the first on Britain’s railways http://dlvr.it/TSncZn #Antisocialbehaviour #BritishTransportPolice
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https://www.europesays.com/videos/35074/ Inquest opens into the deaths of three sisters in Brighton | ITV News Meridian (West) #AntisocialBehaviour #Bournemouth #Brighton #drowning #FACup #itv #ITVMeridian #ItvNews #ITVNewsInFull #oysters
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Govia Thameslink Railway destined for public ownership http://dlvr.it/TSm4YX #Antisocialbehaviour #Farringdon #GatwickAirport #GatwickExpress
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Govia Thameslink Railway destined for public ownership http://dlvr.it/TSm4YX #Antisocialbehaviour #Farringdon #GatwickAirport #GatwickExpress
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Govia Thameslink Railway destined for public ownership http://dlvr.it/TSm4YX #Antisocialbehaviour #Farringdon #GatwickAirport #GatwickExpress
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Govia Thameslink Railway destined for public ownership http://dlvr.it/TSm4YX #Antisocialbehaviour #Farringdon #GatwickAirport #GatwickExpress
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Govia Thameslink Railway destined for public ownership http://dlvr.it/TSm4YX #Antisocialbehaviour #Farringdon #GatwickAirport #GatwickExpress
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Amsterdam Moves to Rein In “Fatbikes” With Park Ban
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Amsterdam Moves to Rein In “Fatbikes” With Park Ban
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Amsterdam Moves to Rein In “Fatbikes” With Park Ban
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Amsterdam Moves to Rein In “Fatbikes” With Park Ban
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BRITON FERRY: Police throw a security ring around the docks all weekend as fears grow of bank holiday rave
Police have moved to lock down Briton Ferry Docks for the entire bank holiday weekend after fears grew of a potential illegal rave in the area.
South Wales Police have brought in special powers — known as a Section 35 dispersal order — that let officers tell anyone they suspect of being there for trouble to leave the area. Anyone who refuses can be arrested on the spot.
The order came into force on Friday evening and runs until 3pm on Sunday — meaning officers have the power to clear the docks throughout the warmest weekend of the year so far.
Police say there will be a heavy uniformed presence around the docks all weekend, both day and night.
Map of the Section 36 dispersal order area provided by South Wales PoliceThe crackdown covers the dock area on the eastern bank of the River Neath, close to the M4 and the Briton Ferry bridge — a quiet, semi-industrial spot that police say has previously been targeted by people organising illegal music events.
So-called raves — unlicensed music gatherings, often held in remote or industrial locations — have become a particular concern over bank holiday weekends, when organisers count on long nights, good weather and the chance of getting in before police can shut them down.
Sergeant Molly Llewellyn, of South Wales Police, said the force understood people wanted to enjoy the bank holiday — but warned there were limits.
She said: “With the forthcoming bank holiday weekend and the associated warm weather forecast, it is recognised that many individuals will wish to socialise and enjoy this period. However, it is essential that all such activities take place in a safe and lawful manner.”
She added that illegal raves were not just a problem for the people attending, but for the wider community.
“Unlicensed music events, commonly referred to as ‘raves’, present significant risks not only to those in attendance but also to the wider community,” she said. “These risks include — but are not limited to — increased levels of anti-social behaviour, public disorder, violence, drug and alcohol misuse, and the presence of unsafe environments.”
People are being warned not to head to any unlicensed event they hear about over the weekend — and anyone who knows of one being planned is being asked to tip off the police.
Sgt Llewellyn said: “Members of the public are strongly advised not to attend such gatherings. Additionally, anyone with information relating to these activities is encouraged to report it to the police.”
A Section 35 order can be put in place for up to 48 hours at a time. The Briton Ferry order will run for about 72 hours in total — meaning police will have extended or renewed the powers to cover the full bank holiday.
As well as ordering people to leave, the powers also let officers seize items being used in anti-social behaviour — for example, sound equipment that could be used at an illegal event.
Anyone with information can call South Wales Police on 101, message them on social media, or pass tips anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.
#antiSocialBehaviour #BritonFerry #BritonFerryDocks #rave #section35DispersalOrder #SouthWalesPolice -
MUMBLES: ‘My sons were shocked and scared’ — NHS doctor speaks out after racist abuse near Mumbles skate park as police launch hate crime investigation
A Swansea NHS doctor has spoken of his shock and sadness after his family were subjected to racist abuse near Mumbles Skate Park — with his sons, aged five and two, present when three teenagers on bikes and scooters directed racial slurs at them.
Dr Haroon Ali described the incident in a public Facebook post on Saturday 16 May. He said he was leaving the skate park with his two young sons when the teenagers — whom he estimated to be aged between 11 and 13 — approached and shouted a racial slur at them. When he challenged them, they repeated it multiple times before riding off gleefully.
Mumbles county councillor Will Thomas, who contacted Swansea Bay News after speaking with Dr Ali, confirmed the incident took place near a pedestrian crossing a few hundred metres from the skate park.
“My sons were both shocked and scared, as well as confused about what was happening,” Dr Ali wrote, describing the moment his young boys asked him what the teenagers had been saying and why they were shouting at them. “I just feel deeply sad about this ugly event,” he added.
Dr Ali said he was born and raised in Swansea and has worked as an NHS doctor serving the city for 12 years, with his family contributing to the community for generations. He said that in all his time in Swansea he had never experienced such an overtly racist incident — let alone one directed at him in front of his children.
In his post, Dr Ali also addressed the parents of the teenagers directly. “To the parents of these boys: I hope you are proud of yourselves for raising individuals who feel comfortable spewing this kind of vicious hatred in our community,” he wrote.
Dr Ali also said he believed certain unnamed local politicians had contributed to a rise in overt racism in the area, and called on them to stand firm in their opposition to it.
South Wales Police confirmed yesterday that officers had received a report of an alleged hate crime incident near Mumbles Skate Park on Saturday 16 May. The report is currently under investigation.
One of the first politicians to respond publicly was Francesca O’Brien MS — the Reform UK member for Gŵyr Abertawe who was this week named as her party’s shadow minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning. O’Brien, a former Mumbles councillor, described herself as “genuinely horrified” by what had happened.
“Let me be absolutely clear — racism is intolerable, unacceptable and has no place whatsoever in Mumbles, Swansea or anywhere else in our society,” O’Brien said. “Racism is not a left-wing issue or a right-wing issue — it is a societal issue, and every decent person should be united in condemning it and eradicating it wherever it appears.”
She said she had previously raised concerns about anti-social behaviour at the skate park during her time as a Mumbles councillor, and that Mumbles Community Council — which owns and manages the facility — had recommended CCTV coverage at the site following repeated incidents. She said she would contact the community council to ask for an update.
O’Brien issued a direct invitation to Dr Ali to work with her on a community response. “I would personally like to invite Dr Haroon Ali to work collaboratively with me in leading a constructive community response to this incident,” she said. “This cannot simply become another angry online debate that achieves nothing.”
Mumbles community councillor Ian Scott said he intended to raise the incident and wider concerns about the skate park at the community council’s full council meeting on Tuesday. The community council owns the skate park and has previously received reports of anti-social behaviour at the site.
The skate park itself has a long history. The land was leased from Swansea Council to Mumbles Community Council in 2021, following years of campaigning by local skaters and families. National Lottery funding of more than £270,000 was secured in 2022 — overcoming what the community council at the time described as numerous delays and legal wrangles — and the park officially opened in February 2023, costing nearly £350,000 in total. A community consultation on the park’s future development was launched last year.
The park has become a popular destination for skateboarders, BMX riders, scooter users and families. Saturday’s incident — and the anti-social behaviour concerns that preceded it — will now add a new dimension to the community council’s deliberations about its future.
Anyone with information about the incident near Mumbles Skate Park on Saturday 16 May is asked to contact South Wales Police on 101, quoting reference 2600152970. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
#antiSocialBehaviour #FrancescaOBrienMS #hateCrime #Mumbles #ReformUK #SouthWalesPolice -
https://www.europesays.com/britain/34387/ London borough named the friendliest place to live in Britain #AntiSocialBehaviour #Britain #CommunitySpaces #ExploreSutton #FriendliestPlace #HomeownershipRates #London #LondonBorough #SuttonGreen
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https://www.europesays.com/ie/478260/ Belfast restaurants close after window smashed during youth disorder #AntiSocialBehaviour #Belfast #BreakingNews #BreakingNews #Crime #EastBelfast #FeaturedNews #FeaturedNews #Headlines #LatestNews #LatestNews #MainNews #MainNews #News #PSNI #TopStories #TopStories #World #WorldNews #WorldNews #YouthDisorder
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TENBY: Police launch summer crackdown on antisocial behaviour as bank holiday crowds head to Pembrokeshire
Dyfed-Powys Police has launched its annual summer operation targeting antisocial behaviour and violence in Tenby and Saundersfoot – just as thousands of bank holiday visitors prepare to descend on Pembrokeshire this weekend.
Operation Lion, which sees Dyfed-Powys Police work in partnership with British Transport Police, Transport for Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council, launched ahead of the early May bank holiday and will continue throughout the summer months. Additional police resources from Neighbourhood Policing, Prevention Teams and Response policing will be dedicated to key locations every weekend to deter crime and disorder.
The operation comes just weeks after four teenagers were stabbed at Tenby railway station on 7 April 2026, sending shockwaves through the town and sparking urgent calls for a stronger police presence. Councillors said Tenby had been “let down” and a joint crackdown involving police, the council and rail bosses followed shortly after.
Superintendent Louise Harries, BCU Commander for Pembrokeshire, said the force had listened to community concerns and acted early this year. “We have recognised that the increased demand started earlier this year. We have listened to the concerns from our communities, and have responded by bringing forward our policing and engagement plans,” she said.
She added that the operation aimed to make Tenby safe for everyone. “We want to ensure that everyone – residents and tourists alike – can enjoy the area and the events we host here safely, and Op Lion plays a very important role in this. Over the next few months, members of the public can expect to see a visible police presence in our busiest areas.”
The summer ahead is expected to be particularly busy for Tenby, with the town hosting a string of major events including Carten, the DGR Motorcycle Ride, the TSC sailing regatta and Firefly Championships, Long Course Weekend, Summer Spectacular and IronMan Wales – together attracting thousands of tourists, holidaymakers and athletes.
Pembrokeshire County Council Assistant Chief Executive Richard Brown said the county remained a safe and welcoming destination. “Pembrokeshire and Tenby continue to be safe, friendly and welcoming destinations, where many thousands of people come each year to relax, explore and enjoy everything our stunning county has to offer,” he said. “The overwhelming majority of visitors do so responsibly and respectfully.”
He added that Op Lion provided vital reassurance. “We’re pleased to see the return of Op Lion in Tenby, alongside increased police visibility and patrols across the county. These measures are about reassurance, supporting residents, businesses, and visitors alike.”
British Transport Police T/Superintendent Jonathan Cooze said rail passengers would see officers across the network throughout the summer. “Anyone travelling to and from Tenby over the summer will see officers out across the rail network, working alongside Dyfed-Powys Police and partners to provide a visible presence, reassure the public and help prevent disorder,” he said.
Transport for Wales Security Manager Simon Turton said additional security had been put in place on trains and at stations between Pembroke Dock and Carmarthen. “Tenby is a great place for a holiday or day out and we want everyone visiting the town by train to be able to do so safely,” he said. “All our trains have high quality CCTV and our on board teams will be wearing body worn cameras.”
Harries said Op Lion covered the whole of Pembrokeshire, not just Tenby and Saundersfoot. “While Op Lion is our operation name relating to police and partner work in Tenby and Saundersfoot specifically, residents across Pembrokeshire can be reassured that increased visibility and patrols will be county-wide.”
Anyone wishing to report a concern to Dyfed-Powys Police can call 101, report online at dyfed-powys.police.uk, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.
Our Tenby coverage
Tenby: Four teens stabbed at railway station as two arrested and line closed
The incident on 7 April 2026 that shocked Pembrokeshire and led to calls for tougher action.Tenby: Tenby has been let down – councillors demand more police as stabbing sparks fury
Community anger and political pressure in the aftermath of the station stabbing.Tenby: Five arrested as police, council and rail bosses launch joint crackdown
#antiSocialBehaviour #antisocialBehaviour #DyfedPowysPolice #OperationLion #Tenby
The crackdown that followed the stabbing in April 2026. -
SWANSEA: Sixteen bikes seized as police operation targets illegal off-road riders with aircraft support
Sixteen motorbikes and off-road bikes have been seized across Swansea as part of a major policing operation targeting illegal and antisocial riding, with officers using a fixed-wing aircraft to track offenders from the air before swooping to arrest them on the ground.
Operation Akalat, run by South Wales Police, targets the illegal and antisocial use of off-road bikes, stolen vehicles and drug dealing – issues which officers say have a significant impact on communities across Swansea and are consistently raised by residents as affecting their quality of life, public safety and confidence in policing.
The latest operation, which took place on Friday 24 April, saw officers deploy the NPAS fixed-wing aircraft to spot and follow illegal riders across the city. Numerous off-road and illegally ridden bikes were tracked from the air until they could be safely apprehended on the ground.
The results were significant. Sixteen motorcycles, Sur-Rons and off-road bikes were seized – eight in Penlan, three in the city centre, three in Townhill and two in Morriston. Several of the bikes were confirmed as stolen. Officers also created 14 Postal Charge Requisitions for offences including dangerous driving, possession of drugs and no insurance, and carried out eight stop searches.
PC Connor Sumner-Jones, of the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Intelligence Unit, said the operation had been a significant success. “This police activity has helped to make a big dent in issues which have been plaguing the respective communities in Swansea, as well as restoring faith and public confidence to 999 and 101 callers, who have now seen us act upon their information and achieve results,” he said.
Inspector Andrew Hedley added that the operation demonstrated a sophisticated approach to problem-solving in the run-up to summer. “This was an example of really great work and an absolutely fantastic approach to problem-solving which will send a robust message to those acting illegally or anti-socially with bikes and motorbikes in the lead-up to the summer,” he said.
He added: “The level of disruption seen under this operation will make a real difference in the communities affected and helps reduce demand more widely. A lot of time and policing hours went into planning and executing this operation, which tackles issues which are very important to the local community.”
Insp Hedley said Op Akalat would continue running frequently over the coming months alongside Operation Lathyrus, sending a clear message that the force was listening to community concerns. “Operations of this nature will continue frequently in the coming months,” he said.
The operation is the latest in a series of targeted policing actions across Swansea aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour that has become a persistent concern in residential areas including Penlan, Townhill and Morriston. Residents in those communities have repeatedly raised concerns about illegal riders causing danger and disturbance on streets and open spaces.
South Wales Police said the use of the NPAS aircraft had proved particularly effective in allowing officers to safely monitor and pursue riders who would otherwise evade ground-based patrols. The aircraft tracked multiple bikes simultaneously before coordinating with officers on the ground to intercept them.
A video of the operation, showing aerial footage of riders being followed and stopped, was shared by South Wales Police on social media and attracted widespread attention from local residents welcoming the crackdown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyPc88ySLDQ&t=3s
Anyone with information about illegal or antisocial use of bikes in their area is encouraged to contact South Wales Police by calling 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Police seize five motorcycles linked to antisocial behaviour in Gorseinon
Officers target illegal riding in Gorseinon in an earlier operation.Three sentenced after high-speed illegal off-road bike pursuit
Riders who led police on a dangerous chase face justice.Child airlifted to hospital after collision with off-road motorbike
The human cost of illegal off-road riding in Swansea communities.New partnership aims to tackle illegal off-roading in South Wales
Agencies join forces to address the growing problem of illegal riders.Police launch criminal damage investigation after off-road motorbikes destroy Skewen sports pitch
Illegal riders cause serious damage to community facilities.Two bikes seized in Townhill off-road biking crackdown
An earlier operation targets riders in one of Swansea’s most affected areas.Police investigate increased Penlan and Blaen-y-Maes antisocial behaviour
#antiSocialBehaviour #antisocialBehaviour #motorbike #NPAS #offRoadBikes #offRoadBikes #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea
Officers respond to community concerns about disorder in north Swansea. -
LLANELLI: Habitual shoplifter jailed after six M&S raids in a month – as Trostre retail crime problem laid bare
A habitual shoplifter from Llanelli has been jailed for 10 weeks after carrying out six offences at a Marks and Spencer store within the space of a single month, in a case that Dyfed Powys Police say demonstrates that repeat offenders can face a custodial sentence.
Bradley Pugh, aged 18, targeted the M&S store at Trostre Retail Park in Llanelli on multiple occasions before shop staff recognised him and alerted police. He was arrested on 22 April after being spotted by staff, with his identity confirmed by officers reviewing CCTV footage.
Pugh was charged and remanded in custody on the same day as his arrest. He appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court the following morning, on 23 April, where he admitted all six offences. He was jailed and ordered to pay back a compensation fee of £795.25.
Sergeant Tom Grace, of the Llanelli Neighbourhood Team, praised both his officers and M&S staff for their role in bringing the case to a swift conclusion. He said: “The public can feel rightly frustrated with shoplifting incidents. Pugh’s sentence shows that repeated offences can meet a threshold for a jail term.”
He added: “I would like to pay tribute to our team here in Llanelli, who worked hard to track down and arrest Pugh, before a swift but thorough investigation ensured he was quickly brought before a court. I’d also like to thank the members of staff at Marks and Spencer — they’ve been instrumental in working with us to bolster the store’s defences against retail crime.”
The jailing comes against a backdrop of persistent retail crime problems at Trostre. Earlier this year, police were granted special dispersal powers at Parc Trostre and Parc Pemberton after a surge in antisocial behaviour around major stores and fast-food outlets including Tesco, Morrisons and McDonald’s. Shoppers at the time described frightening scenes, with groups causing disruption inside stores and abuse being hurled at security staff.
A spokesperson said at the time: “We will not tolerate behaviour that impacts businesses, staff or members of the public.”
The issue of abuse directed at retail workers across Llanelli has also been the subject of a major campaign. A Usdaw survey found that 71% of retail staff had experienced verbal abuse in the past year, 48% had been threatened, and 9% had been assaulted — with the Freedom from Fear campaign bringing politicians including Dame Nia Griffith MP and Lee Waters MS to Tesco Trostre to highlight the problem.
Dame Nia Griffith has pointed to the Labour government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which removes the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifting and introduces a new standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker. The Bill also gives courts new powers to ban repeat offenders from stores.
The wider context for retail crime in Llanelli is one of deep-rooted deprivation. The Tyisha area — which borders Trostre — was identified as the sixth most deprived neighbourhood in Wales for community safety, and the town has been earmarked for a £20m decade-long regeneration drive targeting crime, empty units and a lack of community facilities.
Anyone who has witnessed or become aware of shoplifting offences is asked to report it to Dyfed Powys Police by calling 101 or reporting online. In an emergency, always call 999.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Police granted extra powers after antisocial behaviour at two Llanelli retail parks
Dyfed Powys Police were given dispersal powers at Trostre and Parc Pemberton after a surge in disorder around major stores.Llanelli retail staff report high levels of abuse as campaign calls for stronger protections
Seven in ten retail workers in the area report verbal abuse, with politicians backing a campaign for tougher legal safeguards.Llanelli handed £20m lifeline as decade-long regeneration drive targets town’s most deprived communities
#antiSocialBehaviour #DyfedPowysPolice #Llanelli #MarksAndSpencer #shoplifting #TrostreRetailPark
Tyisha — ranked among Wales’s most deprived areas for community safety — is at the heart of a major investment programme. -
SWANSEA: Crime down 12% and anti-social behaviour down 69% as Dyfatty crackdown delivers early results
The results cover the period between 15 January and 15 March, the first two months of the Clear Hold Build initiative, which was launched by South Wales Police and partners in late March with a pledge to take back the streets from organised crime.
South Wales Police say that in that period, officers carried out 28 proactive arrests for offences including assaults, robberies, drug dealing and possession, fail-to-appear warrants and weapon-related offences. A further 45 stop searches were conducted, 15 of which produced positive results leading to arrests or out-of-court disposals.
Police say 38 people were issued with directions to leave the area in response to anti-social behaviour, and four community protection warning notices were issued to repeat offenders with no legitimate reason to be in Dyfatty. Officers also executed five misuse-of-drugs warrants at identified addresses during the period.
The 69% reduction in reported anti-social behaviour incidents compared to the same period last year is particularly striking given the scale of the problems that preceded the operation. Residents had been living with the effects of organised crime for years — a situation Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones described as “long overdue” for action when the operation launched.
Acting Chief Inspector Andrew Hedley said the results reflected the strength of the partnership approach established between police, the local authority, support services and the community. “Our continued presence in Dyfatty is making a real difference, and we are committed to building on this progress to ensure residents feel safe and supported,” he said. “This is only the beginning, and we will keep working together to deliver long-lasting improvements for the area.”
The Clear Hold Build model, backed by the Home Office, follows a three-phase approach. The first — Clear — involves a year-long police-led crackdown targeting offenders and disrupting criminal networks. The second phase, Hold, focuses on stabilising the area and preventing gangs from returning once enforcement pressure eases. The final phase, Build, brings long-term investment to tackle the root causes of crime and support economic growth.
The force says the Dyfatty project is the flagship scheme for the Swansea Public Services Board and builds on similar operations delivered elsewhere in the South Wales Police force area, including in Merthyr Tydfil, Adamsdown, Roath and Butetown.
The Hold phase will be led by Swansea Council working with all Public Services Board partners, and police and partners say it will focus on maintaining security, preventing criminal re-infiltration and strengthening community confidence. The Build phase will begin during the Hold phase and continue over the longer term.
The operation is being coordinated through the Swansea Public Services Board, which brings together South Wales Police, Swansea Council, Swansea Bay University Health Board and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Council leader Rob Stewart had pledged at the outset that the project would run alongside a separate regeneration programme expected to bring up to £20 million of investment into Dyfatty over the next decade.
The early results suggest the intensive enforcement phase is having a tangible effect on the ground. Police have not yet detailed how many of the 28 arrests have led to charges or prosecutions, but the volume of activity in just eight weeks underlines the scale of the operation.
The force has signalled that work will continue in the months ahead, with the stated aim not simply of making arrests but of achieving lasting change for residents who have long borne the brunt of crime and disorder in the area.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Dyfatty crime crackdown: Major police operation targets Swansea hotspot
Our original report on the launch of the Clear Hold Build operation in March.Dyfatty set for £20m investment boost
The regeneration plans running alongside the police operation.Dyfatty flats set for major upgrade
#antiSocialBehaviour #ClearHoldBuild #CrimeReduction #Dyfatty #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaCouncil
Multi-million pound plans to improve ageing council tower blocks in the area. -
ABERAVON: Lifebuoy set on fire on beach during Easter holiday disorder — police and coastguard warn vandalism “could have had dire consequences”
Police and the coastguard have condemned the destruction of life-saving equipment on a South Wales beach during the Easter holidays after a lifebuoy was among items set alight by vandals.
South Wales Police say officers received reports of a number of items being deliberately burned on Aberavon Beach earlier this week, including the orange lifebuoy ring on North Pier.
Port Talbot Coastguard, who shared the same image of the charred ring, confirmed it was one of the life rings located on the North Pier on the small side of Aberafan Beach — equipment they say is vital for those first on scene in an emergency.
Inspector Andrew Price of South Wales Police said the damage could have cost someone their life. “We want everyone to enjoy themselves in the good weather, but there is absolutely no excuse for damaging this vital life-saving equipment,” he said. “This vandalism could have had dire consequences if somebody had got into difficulty, so it is incredibly fortunate that this was not the case.”
Port Talbot Coastguard said they respond to many incidents at this location and urged the public to treat the equipment with respect. “These are essential pieces of life-saving equipment, provided for use in emergency situations,” they said. “We kindly ask all members of the public to treat them with respect and refrain from tampering with or damaging them, so they remain available and fully functional when needed.”
Photographs from the scene show the lifebuoy ring burned through and lying in the sand, its foam filling destroyed. A second image shows a beach chair and charred wood left behind from what appears to have been an unauthorised fire, with litter scattered across a wide stretch of beach in front of nearby residential housing.
The aftermath of an unauthorised beach fire at Aberavon — a burned chair and charred wood left on the sand, with litter visible across a wide area in front of nearby housing. Image credit: South Wales Police / FacebookThe incident is the latest in a wave of anti-social behaviour that has blighted coastal and town centre locations across the region during the school holidays. In Swansea, a 48-hour dispersal order was imposed on the city centre — covering an area stretching from the Quadrant to the National Waterfront Museum — after a police officer was assaulted by a 14-year-old and a series of other incidents over the Easter weekend. In Tenby, four teenagers were stabbed at the railway station, prompting furious demands from local councillors for more visible policing.
The destruction of rescue equipment carries consequences that outlast the moment of vandalism. Lifebuoys are not always replaced immediately when damaged or stolen, leaving a gap in safety provision that can persist for days — particularly at beaches without lifeguard cover. The coastguard urged anyone who witnesses damage to the equipment to inform police immediately.
The issue is one Swansea Council has been working to address directly. Earlier this year the authority rolled out smart sensors fitted to more than 40 Public Rescue Aid units at waterside locations across the city, with the system automatically alerting the Water Safety Team when a rescue ring is opened or disturbed — allowing replacements to be put in place within 24 hours.
Aberavon Beach itself is subject to a dedicated seasonal operation targeting anti-social behaviour. Operation Adriatic — now in its fourth year — sees South Wales Police work alongside Neath Port Talbot Council, the RNLI and other agencies to keep the seafront safe. RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Clive Morris has previously said the operation has helped create “a vibrant and welcoming beachfront” — making the deliberate targeting of safety equipment all the more jarring.
Aberavon Beach is one of the most popular stretches of coastline in Neath Port Talbot, managed by the council and used by thousands of families and visitors throughout the summer season.
South Wales Police have been stepping up activity at known anti-social behaviour hotspots as the warmer months approach. Inspector Price urged anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour to report it on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Taskforce aims to clamp down on Aberavon Beach antisocial behaviour
Operation Adriatic — the multi-agency summer operation now in its fourth season at Aberavon seafront.New smart sensors rolled out to protect Swansea’s water users
How Swansea Council’s sensor network helps keep rescue equipment in service and replacements swift.SWANSEA: Police impose 48-hour dispersal order on city centre after Easter holiday disorder
Officers respond to disorder across Swansea including the waterfront area over the Easter break.LLANELLI: Police crack down on North Dock anti-social behaviour hotspot as spring season begins
#Aberafan #Aberavon #AberavonBeach #antiSocialBehaviour #lifeRing #lifebuoy #PortTalbotCoastguard #SouthWalesPolice #vandalism
Officers move to address disorder at a well-known trouble spot as warmer weather arrives.