Large areas of Cardiff Bay have been fenced off in an effort to stop crowds from gathering there.
Hundreds of people were pictured on the steps of the Senedd building, drinking, partying and singing well into the night on Good Friday, ignoring social distancing and coronavirus rules still in place which do not allow large gatherings.
Onlookers described the gathering as being "like an illegal rave" and police were seen to be moving in on the crowd as the gathering continued into the early hours of the morning. South Wales Police say three people were arrested at the gathering and they are increasing patrols over the duration of the bank holiday weekend.
A section 35 dispersal order is now in place in Cardiff Bay which gives officers the powers to exclude people from the area.
On Saturday afternoon there was a heavy police presence in the area with the steps around the Senedd - where Friday night's gathering was mainly centred - completely sealed off. Last month, the nearby oval basin at the bay was also fenced off as people began to gather there.
Photos showed several police officers patrolling the bay on foot and police horses were also present. At least two police vans could be seen and officers were engaging with members of the public.
The gathering on Good Friday was the third such crowd in a week. South Wales Police committed increased patrols to Cardiff Bay after crowds gathered in the area earlier in the week and left piles of litter in their wake.
Saturday morning, the familiar scene of piles of rubbish, including broken bottles and gas canisters, could be seen. Cleaning teams had been out since 4.30am cleaning the mess and one said "you couldn't see the steps" of the Senedd building when they started because they were buried under rubbish.
Speaking on Saturday about how police were preparing for the rest of the weekend, Superintendent Marc Attwell from South Wales Police said: “As restrictions have eased, the need for personal responsibility is critical and it is extremely disappointing that a small minority are willing to put themselves, and others, in harm's way.
“Cardiff Bay in particular has attracted large crowds over the past few days. The behaviour seen over the past three days has placed additional pressure on not only the police but the local authority as well, and meant that officers have been diverted from other parts of the force. The practicalities of policing such large gatherings is incredibly difficult and we do still have emergency calls to attend.
“A Section 35 dispersal order is now in place in Cardiff Bay, which gives officers and PCSOs the power to exclude a person from the area. We are asking people in groups of six or more who are thinking of attending or organising a gathering down at the Senedd over this Bank Holiday weekend not to do so. Three arrests were made yesterday evening.
“Our officers will be out and about around Cardiff Bay throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. We’d urge people to be sensible and not to breach the rules – we don’t want anyone to be given a fine or be arrested for public order offences.
“As many restrictions are no longer in force, personal responsibility is critical if we are to prevent a third wave of infections. We all have a responsibility to make sensible choices when we are out and about, maintaining social distancing and not putting ourselves and others at unnecessary risk.”
