South Wales Police have been granted additional powers to order people to leave an area of Barry after a spate of fighting, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour. The dispersal order covers King Square and is in force from today (Friday, October 23) until the end of Sunday, October 25.
Dispersal order under Section 34
The order, granted under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, gives police officers the power to tell individuals or groups to leave the area for 48 hours if their behaviour has, or is likely to, contribute to disorder or cause harassment, alarm, or distress to members of the public. Anyone under the age of 16 subject to this legislation will be taken home or to a place of safety, South Wales Police said.
Inspector Huw Tyler from South Wales Police said: "We are committed to keeping Barry safe and putting a stop to this recent rise in anti-social behaviour."
Police urge parents to intervene
Inspector Tyler added: "Everyone has the right to feel safe, wherever they are, and nobody should be subjected to threats, verbal abuse, and anti-social behaviour."
"We urge parents and guardians to speak to their young people about not getting involved in anti-social behaviour. Please also check who they are associating with, what they are doing and where they are."
"Anti-social behaviour referrals have already been submitted in relation to a number of young people, and their parents have been spoken to."
Continued patrols and reporting
Directed patrols by the Neighbourhood Policing Team are continuing in King Square, and police are asking the public to keep reporting incidents. Anyone with information or concerns is asked to contact South Wales Police online or by calling 101, quoting 2600330962.
