Police in Cardiff given lockdown powers to help stop weekend visitors
Police in Cardiff have been granted powers to perform random vehicle stops this weekend in an effort to stop people from outside Wales travelling into its capital.
The move follows concerns that groups of people from locked-down areas of the UK, where pubs and bars are closed, helped fill the streets of Cardiff city centre last weekend.
South Wales Police said the random vehicle checks would come alongside an increase in the numbers of officers on duty between 9am on Friday and 5pm on Sunday.
Anyone found in breach of coronavirus legislation will face being fined and ordered to leave the city and return home.
This weekend is the final one of England's lockdown, which ends on December 2 and has required pubs and restaurants to remain closed and people to avoid travel unless for a reasonable excuse including work or education.
The First Minister has confirmed there will be new restrictions on pubs, bars and restaurants in Wales in the run-up to Christmas.
In Scotland, alcohol sales are banned for areas in Tier 3, while pubs, bars and restaurants must remain shut for areas in Tier 4.
People from high risk areas outside Wales are prohibited from travelling into the country under Welsh Government rules.
Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Superintendent Jason Rees said: "The past few months have been difficult for us all, and with the rules having relaxed slightly, non-essential business reopening and Christmas just around the corner, it's understandable that people will want to get out and about and enjoy all our city has to offer.
"The vast majority are doing so with caution and within the confines of the existing regulations, but those not adhering to the rules are continuing to put others at increased risk.
"We are anticipating another busy weekend in our city centre, and while we will continue to adopt the policing style we have throughout the pandemic - working with the public to encourage voluntary compliance - we are committed to enforcing where blatant and flagrant breaches occur."
South Wales Police were called to a number of incidents in Cardiff last weekend with numerous businesses warning of customers "not following Covid regulations".
Some businesses said they were forced to close early because of large crowds in the area.
"It was busy on Friday and Saturday, but we had fantastic customers who kept to the rules," Charlotte Baker, from Gin & Juice bar, said about the crowds.
"We were concerned about the safety of our customers and staff, so the police were called and we took the decision to close early.
"We have spoken to other businesses in the city centre and there were issues," she continued.
"We are all working together and with the police and the local council to make Cardiff city centre as safe as possible for all, so we are hoping that they have now moved on."