03/29/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Violent clashes following large gathering at Ogmore-by-Sea

LARGE crowds gathered at Ogmore-by-Sea, Vale of Glamorgan, followed by violent clashes at about 20:00 BST on Thursday evening. Videos of what took place had been posted on social media.

In Wales, it is illegal to gather in large groups and people are advised not to travel outside of their local area because of the coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing measures also remain in place.

South Wales Police said two men in their twenties had been detained by officers, and witnesses said at least one person had been hurt. Officers then broke up the crowd, but some people did return a few hours later.

Porthcawl RNLI confirmed it had attended an incident on Thursday evening and “assisted 45 people who were trapped at the river mouth by the incoming tide”.

South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael described the scene as a “contagion of stupidity” and said people were “completely ignoring the risk to public health”.

There were also crowds of people reported to be partying in Barry Island, and beaches in Swansea.

Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport Lee Waters said the scenes were the actions of a “bunch of drunked-up young people”, but if it kept happening the Welsh Government would have to “look again at the lockdown rules”.

These incidences follow close on the heels of the violence that took place at a street party in Brixton, London where more than 20 police officers were injured. Then thousands flocked to beaches on the Dorset coast and the southwest of England Thursday (June 25)

 

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