Partygoers and people travelling to coastal areas among around 240 people fined for Covid breaches over the weekend

Around 240 people were fined at the weekend as South Wales Police continued to enforce Coronavirus restrictions which remain in place to keep us safe.

Despite the whole of Wales remaining under Welsh Government Alert Level 4 restrictions, officers responded to many reports of house parties, gatherings and people travelling to coastal areas and beauty spots. There were also proactive operations in place to stop motorists and check their reasons for their journey, including around 200 in and around Porthcawl.

Among those fined were:

Two women from Cwmbran who sparked a search operation involving police and Mountain Rescue after they got lost in the Neath Valley countryside;

Two people arrested for possession with intent to supply drugs after officers responded to lots of comings and goings at an address in Grangetown;

20 individuals fined for travelling to Ogmore to exercise;

Five people who travelled from Birmingham to Penarth Esplanade for a day out;

Three men who travelled from Newport to Cardiff Bay to go for a walk;

Seven people who were spotted going camping into woods in the Vale of Glamorgan;

A couple who had travelled from Bournemouth to see relatives in Cardiff;

Seven people who were found at a house party in Swansea;

Four who attended a birthday party in Landore;

16 fines for individuals found at two separate house parties in Mount Pleasant and Sandfields, Swansea;

Across Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr there were 37 fixed penalties given for gatherings and a further nine for unnecessary travel;

Across Cardiff there were 64 fines for numerous house parties and indoor gatherings.

A number of referrals for follow-up action and investigation have also been made to the Joint Enforcement Teams which operate in every local authority area in South Wales.

Chief Superintendent Andy Valentine said:

“This weekend South Wales Police officers and PCSOs have continued in their efforts to keep the public safe from COVID-19.

“Whilst the vast majority of people continue to follow the rules, we have unfortunately had to take action in respect of a number of blatant and deliberate breaches of the Coronavirus regulations.

“Some of the incidents we have dealt with this weekend have the potential to undermine the sacrifices that led to the reduction of COVID-19 in our communities.

“As well as thanking those who do the right thing to keep themselves and others safe, I want to appeal for the public’s continuing support in following Welsh Government legislation.

“The vaccination roll-out and the anticipated easing of restrictions offers everyone hope but for now we must continue to follow the rules that are currently in place to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19 in our communities.”