Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Jon Doel

The sinister moment captured by CCTV cameras at Gavin Henson's closed pub during coronavirus lockdown

This is the sinister moment CCTV cameras at Gavin Henson's closed pub captured a man marking the establishment with a strange X symbol.

The unidentified man was picked up by cameras early on Sunday evening, appearing to draw the symbol on the glass door of the Fox in St Brides Major.

Henson, like so many other businesses, has been forced to close the establishment just weeks after opening in February because of the coronavirus lockdown.

The former Wales rugby star discovered the marking on Monday morning, posting the footage and still images of the incident on social media.

It's understood a local shop on the same street was marked in a similar way.

"When I saw it I thought it was really strange so I went back through the CCTV footage and found when it happened.

"It's very odd and very suspicious.

"We've got very good CCTV at the pub," said Henson, who lives close by.

Some police forces in the UK have previously warned similar symbols can be used by criminals to mark properties that are good targets for break-ins, but others have suggested there is no evidence this is the case.

"Lots of people have suggested that to me as a possible reason on social media, but it's hard to say," Henson added.

Several businesses in South Wales have been targeted by criminals since the national lockdown was announced and restaurants, pubs and others were forced to close.

Kemi's cafe in Cardiff and a popular Indian restaurant in Aberavon, Cinnamon House, have been hit by thieves in recent days.

A South Wales Police spokesman said: "Police in Bridgend are investigating a report of criminal damage to a property in St Brides Major which happened shortly after 6.30pm on Sunday 29 March.

"Anyone with information or who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the area is asked to call South Wales Police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 and quote reference 2000107910."

You can read our recent in-depth interview with Henson on his new life and the drugs scandal he believes should see guilty players jailed here.

Henson plans to keep his business running in the coming weeks by starting a new takeaway service to meet local demand in the St Brides Major area, but he admits it has been a difficult time for so many businesses.

"You're just not quite sure what to do at the moment about so many things because there is so much uncertainty, we just don't know when this is going to be over," he added.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.