POLICE dealt with hundreds of Covid breaches over the weekend – with one group of people travelling more than 100 miles to Penarth.

Wales remains under Welsh Government’s Alert Level Four restrictions, but around 240 people were fined by South Wales Police on the weekend for attending gatherings or parties, or for visiting beauty spots.

Five people were fined after they travelled more than 100 miles from Birmingham to Penarth Esplanade for a day out.

A further seven people were fined after they were spotted going camping into woods in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Plus, 20 people were fined for travelling to Ogmore-by-Sea to exercise. Although exercise is deemed essential Welsh Government rules state that this should take place locally.

Fines given out further afield include:

  • Two women from Cwmbran who sparked a search operation involving police and Mountain Rescue after they got lost in the Neath Valley countryside.
  • Two people arrested for possession with intent to supply drugs after officers responded to lots of comings and goings at an address in Grangetown.
  • Three men who travelled from Newport to Cardiff Bay to go for a walk.
  • A couple who had travelled from Bournemouth to see relatives in Cardiff.
  • Seven people who were found at a house party in Swansea.
  • Four who attended a birthday party in Landore.
  • 16 fines for individuals found at two separate house parties in Mount Pleasant and Sandfields, Swansea;

A number of referrals for follow-up action and investigation have also been made to the Joint Enforcement Teams which operate in every local authority area in South Wales.

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Chief Superintendent Andy Valentine said: “This weekend South Wales Police officers and PCSOs have continued in their efforts to keep the public safe from COVID-19.

“Whilw the vast majority of people continue to follow the rules, we have unfortunately had to take action in respect of a number of blatant and deliberate breaches of the Coronavirus regulations.

“Some of the incidents we have dealt with this weekend have the potential to undermine the sacrifices that led to the reduction of COVID-19 in our communities.

“As well as thanking those who do the right thing to keep themselves and others safe, I want to appeal for the public’s continuing support in following Welsh Government legislation.

“The vaccination roll-out and the anticipated easing of restrictions offers everyone hope but for now we must continue to follow the rules that are currently in place to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19 in our communities.”