Calls for a Dispersal Order, authorised under the ASB Crime and Policing Act 2014, have been made to ensure that scenes that took place at Tenby harbour on Saturday (April 17) night do not occur again.

There were reports of around 300 people gathering in the harbour at one point, from late afternoon and into the early hours of the following morning, and subsequently acts of anti-social behaviour occurred - including vandalism; under age drinking; drug taking; and public urinating, with people living in the area stating that they were left ‘horrified’ with what they witnessed at times, and asking why weren’t Covid regulations being enforced by the authorities.

Perhaps most shocking was the volume of rubbish and broken bottles left at the scene on Sunday morning, which included large shards of broken glass on Harbour Beach sands.

A clean-up led by Tenby’s harbourmaster, PCC staff and local volunteers ensued first thing on Sunday morning, as many feared that families heading to the beach for the day to enjoy the sunny weather would have put their young children at risk with the amount of broken glass in the vicinity.

Previous to Saturday night’s problems, on the Friday, one property even saw it’s sign ripped off the gate and destroyed for firewood on the beach. There were even reports of youths dangerously climbing scaffolding on a building.

“Things can’t go on like this - it has been ongoing since Easter weekend and happens during the week also,” one resident told the Observer.

“All the residents in the harbour area are frustrated. I think the police are overwhelmed and there are clearly not enough on duty.

“One of the worst aspects of it all and health wise, very dangerous was all the people urinating in public. The favourite place appears to be behind St Julian’s Church and beside and in the boundary of lower deck property. On Saturday they were also using one of the arches and it has also been witnessed in the Rotary gardens and on Castle Beach.

“I would not like to come to stay in holiday accommodation at the moment in he vicinity. People forget the economy of holiday lets.

“I think we all feel a little bit vulnerable and to be honest scared. It is no good pretending it is not happening as it is not going away.

“We in the harbour feel totally abandoned, but as a community we have to find solutions, otherwise the reputation of Tenby will be in tatters,” they added.

Another Tenby resident remarked: “Hard to keep a lid on your emotions with this sort of behaviour - disgusting!”

Comments on social media from those that witnessed the scenes, included - “I?went to Tenby briefly about 4 pm, and moved on, because the streets were absolutely full of people drinking and drunk. They aren’t allowed in the pubs so they are all outside walking up and down the streets with their alcohol instead. Not a place for my children at the moment for sure!”

- “Drove through there last night, has people refusing to move out the road, stumbling across without looking. Behaviour was disgusting there last night, no respect at all.”

- “The glass was all over streets; fencing torn down from family gardens to start bonfires; scaffolding being climbed; sick in people’s entrances - it’s spoilt it for the few that behave.”

The Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Sam Skyrme-Blackhall said that she and her fellow Town Councillors were ‘utterly disgusted’ at the ‘appalling behaviour’ in the Harbour area and other parts of Tenby over the weekend.

“Let me be clear in my message - whether the offenders were from Tenby, wider Pembrokeshire, the rest of Wales or further afield - your actions were unacceptable, intimidating and utterly disrespectful. There are no excuses,” remarked the Mayor.

“We are not prepared to let a shameful minority tarnish our town. We now need a clear action plan to stop this happening again.

“Whether it be greater enforcement, restricting access, controlling drinking, improved CCTV and surveillance, dispersal orders, targeted policing or any other measure, every option should be considered and acted upon.

“I know that Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police and all agencies will work together and commit resources to finding both immediate and long term solutions.

“We have tolerated this for too long. This has to stop now. The good people of Tenby and the good visitors to our Town deserve no less,” she continued, before going onto praise those that conducted the clean-up on Sunday morning.

“After the disgraceful scenes in Tenby Harbour and surrounding area over the weekend, cleaning staff from Pembrokeshire County Council, their contractors at Danfo, our Harbourmaster, his colleagues and local people worked tirelessly to clean up the filth left by others.

“I want to praise them and thank them for the contribution they make to this Town.

“We now need action to make sure that they are not faced with such appalling scene ever again,” she added.

In correspondence sent to Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing department, and the licensing officer for Dyfed-Powys Police, county councillor for Tenby’s North ward Clr. Michael Williams called for stronger action from the authorities.

“From as early as late afternoon, the situation at the harbour has become threatening with residents feeling unsafe due to the considerable numbers of individuals in the area consuming large quantities of alcohol,” said Clr. Williams.

“Police Officers appear to be overwhelmed by the numbers and are unable to take the necessary firm action to disperse a crowd that I estimated to be about 200. These kind of events are becoming a regular occurrence and action must be taken to address it.

“We appear to have taken several steps backwards to where we were a number of years ago when Tenby was becoming regarded as party central for groups of stag and hen events.

“Certain parts of the harbour estate are being used as a public urinal causing distress to families attempting to lawfully use the area.”

“I am not in any way well versed on the legal difficulties that might arise when enforcement bodies need to take action to control drunken anti social behaviour of the kind that we are witnessing ever more frequently in the harbour area, but I believe the Police and the Licensing Authority might have powers to impose orders banning the carrying or consumption of alcohol in specific areas such as Tenby harbour.

“To facilitate this I would ask that Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, or a Public Space Protection Oder, which has been used in parts of Ceredigion, and should be enacted as a matter of the utmost urgency.

“This might be construed by some as drastic action, but I am convinced that it is necessary for the safety and well being of residents who see their quality of life being despoiled by a minority of individuals on a regular basis,” continued Clr. Williams, who has also written to PCC’s Head of Environmental Services and Public Protection, Richard Brown on the matter following the weekend.

“The situation in Tenby harbour over recent days has resulted in a complete break down of law and order in the harbour with four police officers trying to regulate up to 300 mainly drunk individuals!” he stated in correspondence to Mr. Brown.

“The following days its not an exaggeration to say that the harbour area stank of urine and beer with huge amounts of broken glass everywhere, and its completely unfair to expect the harbour staff to have to clean this up.

“I must emphasise that they have done a superb job during this unfortunate time.

“The only solution that I can see is the closure of the harbour estate from 5 to 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with Officers able to use their discretion to allow genuine users access.

“I understand that the powers included under a PSPO have been used recently in Aberaeron. I would suggest that PCC urgently investigate the use of this legislation,” he added.

Following community concerns over antisocial behaviour and groups of between youths gathering and clashing over the Easter bank holiday weekend, Dyfed-Powys Police officers used powers under the Antisocial Behaviour Act to disperse groups of youngsters meeting to drink alcohol in and around Tenby, many of whom had travelled by train to the area to meet up.

They moved the youths on, seized alcohol from them and stopped matters escalating when there were clashes between the groups.

The following weekend, police sent out a clear message that there would be ‘extra police patrols and presence in Tenby’, including on the trains, so this type of behaviour wouldn’t be tolerated.

A joint operation with Pembrokeshire County Council licensing officers and British Transport Police, was put in place to address and prevent any further gatherings.

A Section 34 Order was put in place covering Tenby, which allowed officers to move people out of the area and prevent them from returning for up to 48 hours.

Sergeant Stuart Wheeler said at the time: “Following last weekend we had some concern from the community of Tenby, due to antisocial behaviour related to the groups of youths from Pembroke, Pembroke Dock and Tenby, and subsequently those groups clashing. Alcohol consumption by these youngsters was a factor.

“Proactive action was taken, and we are keen to avoid a repeat of this behaviour this weekend, and have therefore put plans in place. Additional resources have been allocated, which will allow us to respond quickly and prevent matters from escalating.

“Tenby Neighbourhood Policing Team and response officers, will be carrying out high visibility patrols in the area, covering areas known to be popular with youngsters. Pembrokeshire County Council licensing officers will be assisting us in ensuring youngsters can’t buy alcohol in the area by visiting shops and reminding them of the laws around selling alcohol, and if they bring it with them it will be seized.

“And our colleagues in British Transport Police will be patrolling the train network to prevent problematic groups getting to Tenby by train.”

Police are also appealing to parents and carers to know where their children are, and what they are doing.

Sergeant Wheeler added: “We would like to appeal directly to parents to be aware of where their children are, and prevent them from gathering in large groups. This type of behaviour is distressing for people living and working in Tenby, and we are urging you to be accountable for your children’s actions.

“We understand that the past few months have been difficult, and that children want to see their friends, but remember that only 6 people from 2 households can meet outdoors still. Please do your best to ensure they are adhering to regulations that are in place for all our safety.”

Dyfed-Powys Police and Pembrokeshire County Council have been contacted for comment following the latest issues over the weekend.