Police given extra powers in two parts of Cardiff ahead of bonfire night

Police in two parts of Cardiff are being extra powers as concerns about anti-social behaviour on bonfire night increase. Officers in Butetown and Grangetown are allowed to prevent gatherings and illegal use of fireworks over a 48-hour period.

The order is said to be a preventative measure following a number of reports over this month involving people throwing fireworks at members of the community and associated anti-social behaviour.

A 48-hour dispersal order, which is granted under Section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, is in place from 6pm on Monday, November 4, until 6pm on Wednesday, November 6.

It comes after a similar order was issued in Abercynon after concerns were raised about the safety of a bonfire in the town. You can read more about that here.

The areas in Cardiff covered by the order:

In Cardiff, acting inspector Samantha Johnson from Cardiff Bay Neighbourhood Team said: “The dispersal order is in place over 48 hours as a preventative measure. We will have an increased presence in Butetown and officers won’t hesitate to enforce the extra powers afforded to them in order to keep the community safe.

“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.”

South Wales Police said it had a zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour and this dispersal order was just one example of the work being done.