Protestors, partygoers and visitors to beauty spots among more than 350 fined at the weekend

Protestors, partygoers and people flocking to south Wales beauty spots were among more than 370 people fined by South Wales Police for breaching coronavirus restrictions this weekend.

Despite the whole of Wales remaining under Welsh Government Alert Level 4 restrictions, the improved weather saw many travelling to beaches and parks and gathering to drink outdoors. As with previous weeks, officers also responded to a large number of house parties.

Among those fined were:

• 13 people fined for non-essential travel to Penarth Pier
• Four people who travelled from the Rhondda to Ogmore by Sea;
• Two people who were stopped on the A48 in Bridgend en route from Newport to Swansea to go to the beach;
• 105 fines to people who attended one of eight house parties in Cathays;
• 13 attendees of two parties in Barry party;
• 14 people at two house parties in Ely;
• Eleven people who had travelled from various areas, including Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Cardiff, Warwickshire and Coventry, to visit Southerndown;
• Four people found at a Llandaff pub;
• Six people gathered at a house in Church Village;
• 10 people at two separate gatherings in Merthyr Tydfil;
• Six gathered at a house in Sarn, Bridgend;
• Four people who travelled to walk their dog in Cyfarthfa;
• Two people who travelled from Newport to Porthcawl for a day out;
• Five occupants of a car, all from different households, who were stopped on their way to a house party in Beddau;
• A group of five men who travelled from England to attend a party in Brynmill, Swansea;
• Eleven people who attended a house party in Swansea city centre;
• 12 people fined for non-essential travel to Bracelet Bay, Mumbles;
• Three people gathered at a Swansea flat for haircuts;
• A couple who travelled to Swansea for an overnight stay in a campervan;
• Five women at a house party in Port tenant, Swansea;
• Three women who were having their hair dyed in Langland Bay car park.

Ten people who attended protests in Swansea city centre have also been reported for summons for breaching Covid regulations, and post-incident investigations are underway in relation to a number of incidents. 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:

“We know it’s been a very challenging few months for our communities, and we can understand that people will have wanted a change of scenery in order to enjoy the good weather at the weekend.

“But the reality is, coronavirus remains a very real threat to us all, and the whole of Wales continues to be under Level 4 restrictions for a reason.

“The vast majority of us have made real sacrifices to support the national effort; to stop doing so now at such a crucial point risks undoing all we have achieved so far.

“The rollout of the vaccine and the recent publication of plans to ease restrictions provides us all with much needed hope, but I would urge our local communities to continue following the rules that are currently in place.

“We do not want to be enforcing these rules, our preference would of course be for everyone to do the right thing. But we remain unapologetically clear, those who blatantly or repeatedly breach the rules will face enforcement action.”