A man remains in a critical condition and five people have been arrested after violent disorder broke out in Pontnewynydd, near Pontypool, on Thursday evening.
Emergency response
Gwent Police were called to Mill Road at around 7.15pm on Thursday following reports of violent disorder involving a group of men. Armed officers and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) attended the scene.
Five men have been arrested. Four men, aged 31, 40, 45 and 61, remain in police custody, while a fifth man, aged 59, is in hospital. A 56-year-old man who was taken to hospital remains in a critical condition.
Community shock
A police cordon remained in place on Friday as investigations continue, with forensic officers seen working around Pontnewynydd Sports and Social Club and on the road outside. The club's owner said the venue was not involved and had closed before the incident, adding that it will remain closed while the road closure is in place. Gwent Police confirmed there is no suggestion the venue is involved.
Residents described the area as normally quiet and said they had never experienced anything like it. One woman described seeing an air ambulance, police helicopter, armed officers and ambulances.
An elderly resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was “very surprised” to see the police cordon. She said the area was normally “very quiet” and that she did not have any issues with the social club. “It’s a social club used by older people mainly, they often have wakes there, christenings,” she said. “On a Wednesday afternoon ladies my age go there to play Bingo.”
The woman, who lives near the cordon, said she regularly stays up late watching television and had noticed noise on two recent consecutive nights. “At midnight there seemed to be a lot going on, it sounded rowdy and like people were banging roofs of cars, but not worrying enough that I felt like I needed to call the police,” she said. “But I heard nothing last night.”
Witness accounts
A woman in her 50s, who has lived in the area for 19 years, said she became worried after hearing the emergency response and went to the road to see what was happening. She heard “loads of police sirens” from around 7pm but did not hear anything relating to the incident itself. “I went down to the road to have a look and it was worrying,” she said. “The air ambulance was trying to land and then the police helicopter was up. There were police, there was an unmarked response car which came down the road all kitted up, there was an ambulance. It was quite frightening.”
She believes the air ambulance landed on the football field known as The Ruffets. She said she did not use the social club herself but knew many people who did. “I don’t use that social club but I know a lot of people who go there and it’s always busy with no trouble. All I know is it’s a nice area.”
“We’ve been here for 19 years and this is the first time anything like this has ever happened,” she added. “It’s a quiet area really, and it’s nice to live here.” She hopes the incident will not become a regular occurrence.
Police statement
A local business owner, who has been in the area for 11 years, also expressed surprise. “I’ve been here 11 years, it’s a lovely area,” he said. “It’s nice and there’s never any drama. You don’t see any trouble or any riffraff. This is one of those things, it happens everywhere.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Anne-Marie Salwey, of Gwent Police, said violence was “completely unacceptable” and warned anyone found to have been involved would be dealt with. She said: "Violence in any form is completely unacceptable and anyone who is found to be involved in this disorder will be dealt as we will not accept this behaviour in our communities.
“We recognise that reports of this nature will prompt concern from our residents and it is likely that you will see officers in and around the area conducting enquiries as part of this investigation.
“Anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage could hold a piece of information that could assist our enquiries so we would urge you to speak to officers or make contact with our control room.”
Information can be provided to Gwent Police on 101, through its website or social media, quoting log reference 2600255536. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers.
The road remains closed between Mill Road and Hospital Road in both directions, with motorists urged to seek alternative routes.
