Four arrested after 'large disturbance' in Cardiff city centre on Saturday night
Four teenagers remain in custody while police have been granted special dispersal powers after a suspected stabbing attack in Cardiff city centre in which six people were injured.
Police arrested four people after a 'large disturbance' in Cardiff city centre on Saturday night.
The incident happened on Queen Street with police receiving multiple reports of a violent incident around 9.50pm.
Six people were taken to hospitals with various injuries including stab wounds and head injuries, although two have since been discharged.
Three people remain at the University Hospital of Wales, with another currently at Llandough Hospital. Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Detective Superintendent Esyr Jones said: “This was a violent and completely unacceptable incident which has understandably caused alarm within the local community.
“A team of twenty detectives are currently investigating the incident, trawling through vast amounts of CCTV and speaking to a number of witnesses, and I want to reassure the public that we will be relentless in identifying and arresting all those involved.
“This appears to have been an isolated incident involving local youths, all of whom can expect to find officers knocking at their doors as enquiries progress.
“We work closely with a wide range of partners to ensure that incidents of this nature are rare, and the public should be assured that Cardiff remains a safe place in which to live, work and visit.
“We are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information which could assist the investigation to come forward.
"In particular, I’d urge any parent who suspects their child was involved in any way to come forward. Tackling knife crime is the responsibility of us all and any parents who have suspicions about their children being involved are not protecting them by remaining quiet.”
Police were given extra powers to move people out of Cardiff city centre on Sunday afternoon.
The Section 35 dispersal order was in place since the incident happened but was then extended until Tuesday morning.
It gives the police the power to move people or groups who may pose an anti-social behaviour risk out of the area for up to 24 hours.
Detective Superintendent Jones said: “We want our local communities to be reassured that we are doing all we can to identify all those involved in Saturday’s wholly unacceptable violence, and that the city centre remains a safe place to visit.
“These powers will enable officers to stop anyone they suspect is behaving in an antisocial manner, or who is visiting the area to cause any trouble, and direct them to leave.
“Patrols have been stepped up in the area and a dedicated team continues to investigate Saturday’s incident.”
Police have arrested four people, aged 16 and 17, on suspicion of violent disorder.
A Taser was also used to detain one man who was obstructing officers responding to the incident. He is not believed to have been involved in the disorder.