A police officer has been hospitalised and police vehicles badly damaged in a spate of vandalism in Newport. Gwent Police said an 18-year-old man had been arrested after an incident on Monday, September 25.
The force has brought in a dispersal order to enable officers to move people out of Broadmead Park, Pont Faen shops and the surrounding areas. It will remain in force until 8pm on Thursday.
A spokesperson said reports of criminal damage to police vehicles had been received and several vehicles were left "out of action" in the past few weeks, and an officer had been taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Police are appealing for information and footage to help it identify more suspects.
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Following the disorder on Monday, an 18-year-old man from Newport was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, assaulting an emergency worker and possession of a class B drug, and has since been released on police bail. You can follow the latest crime and courts news with our newsletter here.
Police say ongoing enquiries are being undertaken to identify the other individuals involved. Chief inspector Amanda Thomas said: "The behaviour of those involved in [the] incidents, which includes reports of criminal damage to police vehicles, will not be tolerated and has huge ramifications for Gwent Police and our communities.
"These mindless act [sic] of vandalism means that not only have several operational vehicles been out of action for a short time over the past few weeks, affecting our ability to respond to emergency calls, but also one of our officers was taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries."
A dispersal order has also been issued for areas of Newport, which began at 8pm on Tuesday, September 26 and will remain in place until 8pm on Thursday, September 28 covering the Broadmead Park, Pont Faen shops and the surrounding areas. Additional patrols are also in place in the area.
Dispersal orders give police the power to make groups leave an area if they are involved in anti-social behaviour or disorder, if members of the public are being harassed, alarmed or distressed or if officers think their behaviour may lead to anti-social behaviour. If they return to that area after being moved on, they face being arrested.
Police are asking anyone with information, including dashcam or CCTV footage of Monday's incidents has been asked to call 101, or DM Gwent Police on social media quoting log reference 2300325784. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with details.
