Parts of Aberystwyth, the Welsh seaside town where King Charles once studied, have been described as a “no-go zone” at night amid concerns about antisocial behaviour linked to public drinking. The town is known for its promenade, university and position on the west coast of Wales.
The King spent 10 weeks at what was then the University College of Wales in 1969, studying Welsh language and Welsh history before his investiture at Caernarfon Castle. Residents have raised concerns about drinking in parts of the popular university town, with some saying they have felt uncomfortable because of the behaviour of groups of men.
Council backs restrictions
Ceredigion County Council has backed the continuation of Public Spaces Protection Orders covering Aberystwyth, as well as Cardigan and Lampeter. The measures are designed to give authorities greater powers to deal with alcohol-related antisocial behaviour in public places, but they do not amount to a complete ban on drinking outdoors.
Under the orders, it is an offence to refuse a request from a police officer or authorised person to stop drinking or hand over alcohol in an area covered by the restrictions. People who fail to comply can be handed a £100 fixed penalty notice, while the maximum fine can reach £1,000.
Residents' concerns
A 19-year-old student told The Sun she had sometimes changed her running route after being wolf-whistled at by men who had been drinking. Another student told the newspaper she had sometimes chosen to stay at home because she felt safer than walking alone past groups drinking outside.
Colin, a 65-year-old retired NHS worker, also raised concerns about groups drinking around the beach and other parts of the town. He said: “Places like the beach or areas outside bars at night should never become no go areas for anybody.”
Police data and review
However, Dyfed-Powys Police said there had been a “relatively low number of recorded incidents” over the previous year in which street drinking was a contributing factor. Despite that, councillors unanimously supported extending the orders across the three towns.
Aberystwyth Morfa a Glais councillor Alun Williams argued that the policy was working and had public support. The council has said the orders will continue to be reviewed using police data and information from key organisations.
