29 arrests mar Bank Holiday

Local police made 29 arrests over the bank holiday weekend, with a majority of the incidents blamed on alcohol related offences.

Pubs across the area reported a bumper trade, as good weather and a well organised music festival brought revellers out in their hundreds. Welshpool pubs reported their busiest night of the year on Sunday night, while Llanfair, Montgomery and Guilsfield also saw a booming trade.

But the added crowds brought with it a range of incidents with scuffles breaking out in a number of locations, creating a busy weekend for the local police.

Inspector Diane Davies worked the weekend and said: “It has been very busy, particularly on Sunday when we had a large demand on our services.  I’m sure the vast majority of people have enjoyed their weekend with only a very small minority causing a problem.  It’s enjoyable working over the Bank Holiday, most people are in good spirits and out for fun.  Those who have let themselves down by committing offences not only face the consequence of the Justice system but may find themselves banned from local pubs as well.”

Inspector Davies said that individuals who have committed alcohol related offences in a public place have had their details sent to the local B.O.B.B. (Behave or be banned) panels where licensee’s consider banning them. Twenty notices were also issued under the provisions of S27 Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006.  These notices are issued for individuals to leave a specified area and are generally used in instances where there is alcohol related anti-social behavior, and are intended to prevent escalation into crime and disorder.

Whilst the Bank Holiday period has seen a rise in alcohol related disorder, the police say they successfully maintained their normal day to day services.  A number of non-fatal road traffic collisions further stretched their resources while Police are also assisting the coroner in two sudden deaths.