Cardiff and Penarth MP on anti-social behaviour at Cardiff Bay

A 48-hour dispersal order was put in place near the Wales Millennium Centre after two people - a 27-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man – were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker after two officers were injured during separate incidents.

"It's clear that a small minority of individuals want to flout not only coronavirus safety regulations but also behaving in ways that would be unacceptable in any city during normal times," Mr Doughty told BBC Wales.

Baroness Eluned Morgan

International relations minister Baroness Eluned Morgan was also speaking on the issue at Tuesday's Welsh Government coronavirus briefing.

"It is something where I think we do have to get messages out, in particular to younger people, that this does affect them, it will affect them," she said.

"Clearly the evidence suggests that the younger people are really perhaps in some parts of the country not taking this as seriously as some of the other age groups.

"That is a message that we need to get out but the police are very well aware of the situation in Cardiff Bay, and will be enforcing measures to make sure that people comply with the rules."

Mr Doughty also told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast he was concerned about the use of laughing gas, and says he has spoken to Cardiff Council about implementing similar social distancing measures seen in Cardiff city centre at Cardiff Bay too.

"I have urged the council and licencing to look into what they can do about that problem," he said.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council wrote to licence holders at the Esplanade in July asking for their support in tackling anti-social behaviour issues relating to excessive alcohol consumption.

The Esplanade has also seen a rise in anti-social behaviour.

Chief Superintendent Andy Valentine said: “Such behaviour has a detrimental impact on the wider community and anti-social behaviour or criminality  will not be tolerated.

“Our officers are responding to these incidents and are using the powers available to them, including dispersal orders and enforcement action, however with more than 100 miles of coastline, parks, towns and city centres, it is extremely challenging and we cannot be everywhere all of the time.

“Existing demand from all other crimes and daily business does not go away while we deal with these incidents, and those committing ASB and other criminality risk keeping us away from those who need us most."