Operation Elstree will involve increased patrols and where appropriate, dispersal powers, at key locations including Cardiff Bay, Penarth and Barry Island, as well as the Heritage Coastline stretch between Rhoose Point and Ogmore-by-Sea.
It will run during the spring and summer months.
Local neighbourhood officers will be supported by colleagues from across South Wales Police, including PCSOs, Response officers, Operational Support Services and the Special Constabulary, as well as a range of colleagues from our partner agencies.
This team effort is intended to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour while ensuring the quiet enjoyment of coastal areas for law-abiding residents and visitors.
During the first weekend of #OpElstree, four intoxicated men from Pontypool were ordered to leave Ogmore by Sea due to their anti-social behaviour and will be receiving Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) stage 1 warning letter.
On the second weekend – the Bank Holiday weekend – officers responded to reports of a group of disorderly young people moving between The Knap and Romilly Park in Barry.
Alcohol was confiscated and a number of the 60-strong group were subject to stop searches, with a number of ASB stage 1 warning letters issued as a result.
Once the youths has been dispersed, officers did a quick search of Romilly Park and found bags of white powder, suspected of being Class-A drugs, hidden in a bush.
Nearby, a man was arrested for stealing a mobile phone from a 14-year-old boy in High Street. #OpElstree officers used a tracking app to find the boy’s stolen iPhone. Joshua Smith, 20, from Barry, has been charged with theft and will appear at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on May 20.
In Penarth, Ogmore-by-Sea and Barry Island where high-visibility patrols continued over the Bank Holiday Weekend there was more good news as no incidents of anti-social behaviour or disorder were reported.
Chief Inspector Bella Rees 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.”
Visitors to coastal areas over the coming weeks and months can be reassured that, where appropriate, Section 35 dispersal powers will be place to prevent anti-social behaviour.
These powers give officers the power to disperse groups or individuals who are acting in an anti-social manner.
Follow us on Twitter @swpValeofGlamorgan and @swpCardiff
#OperationElstree #OpElstree #KeepingTheValeSafe #KeepingCardiffSafe.
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