Covid-19 enforcement: Around 120 fined during Easter bank holiday

Around 120 people were fined over the bank holiday weekend as a minority of people continued to flout the rules with house parties and other coronavirus breaches.

Despite a recent relaxation of the regulations which allow people to stay in self-contained holiday accommodation, travel anywhere within Wales, and meet up to six people from two households, a minority of people were still found flouting the regulations.

Many of the fixed penalty notices for coronavirus regulation breaches were for house parties and gatherings, including:

• 10 people in Butetown, Cardiff
• Eight people, all from separate households, gathering in a garden in Sandfields, Neath Port Talbot
• 10 people in Cardiff Bay
• Seven people for attending a birthday party in Pontardawe, Neath port Talbot
• 20 people at a large-scale gathering in Cathays, Cardiff

Officers attended an address in Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, after reports of 30 people partying. However, the hosts didn’t let officers inside the property willingly. After forcing entry a number of people acted hostile towards officers and it was clear that there were blatant breaches of the regulations. One man was arrested for obstructing an officer and fixed penalty notices were issued.

Anti-social behaviour and large groups congregating in Swansea have also seen a rise this weekend, including a report of 100 people gathering in Swansea Bay.

A Section 35 dispersal order placed on Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay remains in place, which gives officers and PCSOs the power to exclude a person from the area.

As restrictions continue to ease and the weather gets warmer, we continue to urge people to be sensible and respect the regulations. They are in place to keep us all safe.