Section 60AA order put in place following Police concerns over behaviour of protesters at Stradey Park Hotel

Dyfed-Powys Police are appealing for calm and co-operation following a concerning escalation of behaviour by some protestors at the Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli, since Monday 14th August 2023.

On Monday 14th August 2023, police received a report that criminal damage had been caused to a vehicle used by a contractor employed by the Hotel while he was driving away from the premises. A man has since been arrested and charged with this offence.

During the night of 15th August, a number of people trespassed onto the grounds of the Stradey Park Hotel and conducted themselves in an intimidating manner.

Five arrests have been made this afternoon in connection with further incidents at the Hotel and police enquiries are ongoing. Officers remain at the scene to provide reassurance to residents and the community.

Police are also concerned by the conduct of a number of people who have been wearing balaclavas in the area. As a result , a Section 60AA order (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) has been put in place. This provides officers with the power to require a person to remove any item which the officer believes is being worn wholly or mainly for the purposes of concealing their identity. The order applies to the area of Stradey Park Hotel, Pentrepoeth Road and the B4309 running through Furnace

We will always seek to facilitate peaceful protest, while balancing it with the rights of others, keeping the public safe and preventing crime and disorder. Where an offence is committed, we will take all reasonable and proportionate steps to bring offenders to justice.

Dyfed-Powys Police would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have demonstrated peacefully over the past few weeks and urge anyone planning to join the protest to follow the example that has been set by local residents.

If you are planning a protest or have any information about the incidents that have taken place since Monday, we would encourage you to contact us via our website https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, email 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk or call 101.