Investigation launched after Aberdare town centre disturbance

Police in Aberdare arrested three teenage boys following a disturbance in the town centre last night.

Officers were called to Aberdare Bus Station at approximately 8.15pm following a call from the local authority CCTV operation which suspected individuals were using drugs.

When police arrived, one male was arrested and taken into custody.

Following the arrest, a groups of youths arrived in the area and caused a further disturbance.

A number of police units were deployed to disperse the group and two further arrests were made.

All three males, two aged 16 and one aged 17, remain in police custody.

An investigation into the incident has now been launched and officers are scouring CCTV and reviewing body cam footage to identify the other individuals involved.
Police visibility in the town centre has been increased to reassure the public and a mobile CCTV van has also been deployed to the area.

Chief Inspector Matt Codd, said: “What happened last night is very concerning and it won’t be tolerated. There were attempts to assault officers – thankfully none were seriously injured.

“We have a group of youths who appear to have little regard for the public or the police. We do know who they are – some have been arrested – and enquiries are ongoing to trace and locate others.

“The numbers involved last night tell me that there are many parents who do not know what their children are up to and they must take some responsibility.

“If they do know, they need to take a long hard look at themselves because attitudes and boundaries begin at home – they will find themselves at the centre of multi-agency intervention measures.

“Following previous incidents, we issued warnings. A criminal record is something that can have a serious impact on somebody’s life and unfortunately, only when it happens do some people realise that.

“But I am afraid this is what some individuals are now facing.”