South Wales Police prepares for a busy Saturday

A policing operation will be in place in Cardiff on Saturday (February 3) for a busy day of international rugby and protest activity in the city centre.

There will be a visible police presence in the city as officers work to ensure that visitors can go about their business safely.

The aim of the policing operation will be to facilitate lawful protest while minimising disruption to the wider public.

Superintendent Esyr Jones said: “Policing protest activity is complex and on Saturday there is the extra dimension of thousands of people visiting the city centre on international rugby day.

“South Wales Police supports the right for people to make their voices heard through protest providing it is done lawfully. Decisions about how to police protests require consideration of complex and often competing rights and issues.

“Our policing presence will aim to ensure that everyone can go about their business safely and that any protest activity is lawful and peaceful.”

Police Liaison Officers, who can be identified by their blue protest liaison tabards, will be on hand to engage with those taking part in the protest.

These officers are specially trained to engage with and ensure the flow of information between police officers, crowd members and other individuals at al times during the event in order to support public safety and the effective running of a peaceful protest.

Supt Jones added: “We are aware that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and protest activity which we have seen in Cardiff and Swansea can contribute to fear and anxiety which is particularly felt by our Jewish and Muslim communities. The sight of a large protest activity can also be intimidating for the general public going about their daily business.

“This is why we will be striving to strike a balance in our policing approach and take measures to ensure that the rights of all parties are respected and upheld.  However, where appropriate we may take retrospective action against anyone who breaks the law.”