DESPITE more visitors to Vale of Glamorgan's coastal areas this year there was nearly 50 per cent less anti-social behaviour reported.

Between May 1 and September 5 South Wales Police had 315 (non-Covid related) anti-social behaviour incidents reported to them – compared with 597 reported during that period last year.

During these summer months Operation Elstree - a multi-agency operation aimed at keeping coastal areas safe and family-friendly – was in effect, with:

  • Extra patrols on foot, horse, quad bike and in their anti-social behaviour boat.
  • Section 35 notices to move people on from an area.
  • A CCTV van operating.
  • Safety bands to help reunite missing children with families.
  • Fines for illegal parking.

The operation helped reunite 34 lost children with their families and saw nine arrests made, with drugs and alcohol confiscated.

Chief Inspector for Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff South, Arabella Rees, said: “Operation Elstree has meant 1,000 extra hours of police foot patrol along the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan coastline and more than a quarter of those hours were by volunteers from the Special Constabulary.

“During these patrols we have arrested nine people and confiscated drugs and alcohol which has helped prevent a repeat of the anti-social behaviour which we saw earlier in the year and last summer.

“Another highlight of Op Elstree has been reuniting 34 lost children with their parents on the beach. Losing sight of your children for a few seconds can cause really worry, so I’m glad our officers have been in the right place at the right time this summer.

“It has been one big team effort and we hope everyone who visited the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan coastline this summer had a positive experience.”