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Covid: Crowds gather in Cardiff Bay despite restrictions | Covid: Crowds gather in Cardiff Bay despite restrictions |
(32 minutes later) | |
Hundreds of people were seen gathered on the steps of the Senedd on Friday evening | Hundreds of people were seen gathered on the steps of the Senedd on Friday evening |
Huge crowds have again gathered in Cardiff Bay, despite coronavirus restrictions still being in place. | Huge crowds have again gathered in Cardiff Bay, despite coronavirus restrictions still being in place. |
Videos and pictures on social media showed hundreds of people on the steps outside the Senedd. | Videos and pictures on social media showed hundreds of people on the steps outside the Senedd. |
It follows similar scenes outside the same building earlier in the week, when three police officers were injured and litter was dumped on the waterfront. | It follows similar scenes outside the same building earlier in the week, when three police officers were injured and litter was dumped on the waterfront. |
Cardiff council leader Huw Thomas said those in attendance should be "deeply ashamed of themselves". | |
Covid rules state only six people from two different households can meet outdoors. | Covid rules state only six people from two different households can meet outdoors. |
On videos posted on Twitter, people could be seen singing and drinking during the early evening sunshine. | |
'Stop litter blame game - give us more bins' | 'Stop litter blame game - give us more bins' |
Q&A: What are Wales' lockdown rules? | Q&A: What are Wales' lockdown rules? |
BBC Wales has attempted to contact South Wales Police for comment. It is not known if any arrests have been made. | BBC Wales has attempted to contact South Wales Police for comment. It is not known if any arrests have been made. |
Mr Thomas said police had taken over from council marshals, who had been patrolling the site in the day, after the situation "escalated". | |
One Cardiff Bay resident said there were "possibly over 1,000 people" | |
Math Wiliam, who lives in Cardiff Bay and works for a Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd and is a member of the party, said: "There were hundreds, possibly over 1,000 people out in Cardiff Bay engaging in what I would describe as partying, with the largest cohort assembled on the steps of the Senedd. | Math Wiliam, who lives in Cardiff Bay and works for a Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd and is a member of the party, said: "There were hundreds, possibly over 1,000 people out in Cardiff Bay engaging in what I would describe as partying, with the largest cohort assembled on the steps of the Senedd. |
"One man had entered the water and was having difficulties getting out. | "One man had entered the water and was having difficulties getting out. |
"There was no adherence to social distancing rules, which was unsurprising given that many people were heavily under the influence." | "There was no adherence to social distancing rules, which was unsurprising given that many people were heavily under the influence." |
He added the number of people coming to the bay had been "increasing daily". | He added the number of people coming to the bay had been "increasing daily". |
BBC Wales reporter Mark Hutchings said "hundreds" were gathered and it was "calm, if noisy, at the time, though no social distancing". | BBC Wales reporter Mark Hutchings said "hundreds" were gathered and it was "calm, if noisy, at the time, though no social distancing". |
What I can only describe as an illegal rave is currently being held on the steps of the Senedd in #CardiffBay. pic.twitter.com/3kyD1ANW8L | What I can only describe as an illegal rave is currently being held on the steps of the Senedd in #CardiffBay. pic.twitter.com/3kyD1ANW8L |
Mr Thomas said: "We have been in close communication with the police throughout the day. | |
"This is concerning and disappointing. It flies in the face of the regulations, which are there to keep us safe. | |
"I anticipate a bombsite there tomorrow. We'd put out extra wheelie bins, but rubbish is just being dumped. The clear-up will mean an unnecessary cost to the council and so the taxpayer. | |
"But this is about public health and a clear abuse of the rules. I worry about a spike in cases after this. It in fact risks prolonging restrictions, rather than easing them, as people there seemed to be complaining about." | |
Cans and empty bottles could be seen on the steps of the Senedd in the early evening | |
Wales' Covid restrictions were eased last Saturday, with people allowed to travel anywhere within the country and meet a maximum of six different people from two different households outdoors. | Wales' Covid restrictions were eased last Saturday, with people allowed to travel anywhere within the country and meet a maximum of six different people from two different households outdoors. |
However, pubs remain closed until at least 26 April and it is still against the rules to travel between Wales and the other UK nations, without a reasonable excuse. | However, pubs remain closed until at least 26 April and it is still against the rules to travel between Wales and the other UK nations, without a reasonable excuse. |
Crowds could be seen stretched across the waterfront on the steps of the Senedd | Crowds could be seen stretched across the waterfront on the steps of the Senedd |
Earlier this week, police said violence and anti-social behaviour would "not be tolerated" as people gathered in the same area on Tuesday. | Earlier this week, police said violence and anti-social behaviour would "not be tolerated" as people gathered in the same area on Tuesday. |
South Wales Police said a number of missiles, including bottles, were thrown at officers, three of whom suffered minor injuries, during the disorder earlier in the week. | South Wales Police said a number of missiles, including bottles, were thrown at officers, three of whom suffered minor injuries, during the disorder earlier in the week. |
Cardiff council said on Wednesday that it had taken three hours to clean up the "unacceptable amount of litter" in Cardiff Bay and the city's parks. | Cardiff council said on Wednesday that it had taken three hours to clean up the "unacceptable amount of litter" in Cardiff Bay and the city's parks. |
Police were monitoring the scene, but it is not yet known if any arrests have been made | Police were monitoring the scene, but it is not yet known if any arrests have been made |
Crowds in Cardiff Bay were still gathered at about 20:00 BST | Crowds in Cardiff Bay were still gathered at about 20:00 BST |