This is a live, developing story. Updates will appear below as we get them.
Police searches now complete and residents allowed home
Police say searches at the property on Commercial Street have now finished after a significant number of illegal weapons were found over the weekend. Residents who were evacuated as a precaution are being allowed to return to their homes.
Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones thanked the community for their patience, saying the large police presence “will have been unsettling” but that ensuring public safety was the priority.
Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones said:
“I would like to say a massive thank you to all the residents for their understanding while we have made our enquiries and conducted our investigation.
“This news, coupled with the sizeable police presence on their street today, will have been unsettling. Our number one concern today was to ensure the safety of those in the immediate area.”
A 51‑year‑old man from Blaengwynfi remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of attempting to make an explosive with intent to endanger life or property.
Officers say there will continue to be a police presence in the area for the next few hours.
Heavy police presence remains in Abergwynfi
There is still a heavy police presence in Abergwynfi this afternoon, with officers maintaining the cordon around Commercial Street.
Bomb disposal teams also remain at the scene as searches continue inside the property.
Residents say the road is still closed and emergency services are moving equipment in and out of the area.
Photo: Tasha Anne Owen
Police update: man arrested on suspicion of attempting to make an explosive
South Wales Police have issued an updated statement confirming that the man arrested in Abergwynfi is now being held on suspicion of attempting to make an explosive with intent to endanger life or property.
Officers were called to a property on Commercial Street at around 9.30pm on Sunday after a report of a “significant number of illegal weapons” being found inside.
A 51‑year‑old man from Blaengwynfi remains in custody.
Police say a scene is still being held at the property while searches continue with multi‑agency support. An increased policing presence will remain in the area while the investigation is ongoing.
Residents in nearby properties have been evacuated “where possible” as a safety precaution, with trained partner agencies supporting the process.
The public is being asked to avoid the area to allow emergency services access.
Police confirm arrest after “significant number of illegal weapons” found
South Wales Police have confirmed that officers were called to a property on Commercial Street after a report of “a significant number of illegal weapons” being found inside.
The force says the report was received at around 9.30pm on Sunday (February 15).
A 51‑year‑old man from Blaengwynfi has been arrested.
Police say residents in nearby properties have been evacuated “where possible” as a safety precaution, with trained partner agencies supporting the process.
The public is being asked to avoid the area to allow emergency services access.
In a statement, the force said:
“Officers attended an address on Commercial Street, Abergwynfi, Neath Port Talbot following a report at around 9:30pm yesterday (Sunday February 15) of a significant number of illegal weapons having been found within the property.
“A 51-year-old man from Blaengwynfi has been arrested.
“A scene is currently being held at the property while searches are carried out with multi-agency support. An increased policing presence will be seen in the area while an investigation is ongoing.
“Residents of nearby properties have been evacuated where possible as a safety precaution. Trained partnership agencies are supporting this process. Please avoid the area to allow the Emergency Services access.”
This is the first official confirmation of the nature of the incident after hours of uncertainty in the village.
Residents report major emergency services presence in the village
A resident has shared an image showing a significant emergency services presence in Abergwynfi this morning, with multiple police and ambulance vehicles lined along a residential street.
The photo reflects what locals have been describing since early hours — a large number of officers and vehicles across the village as the incident on Commercial Street continues.
(Image: Facebook)
Bomb disposal robot seen outside property on Commercial Street
A bomb disposal robot has been seen outside a property on Commercial Street as specialist teams continue to work at the scene.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robot was spotted by a resident positioned outside a house. These remotely operated devices are used by specialist teams to assess and make safe potential explosive threats while keeping personnel at a distance.
South Wales Police have not confirmed the nature of the incident or why the robot has been deployed.
We have asked the force for further information.
Residents say police have been in the village since before 6am
People living in Abergwynfi say the incident began long before the first official police update.
One resident, Jessica Emery, wrote that the situation had been ongoing “since early hours” and asked for clearer information, saying the village was “swarming with police”.
South Wales Police replied that updates would be provided “as and when we have them”.
Another resident, Jonesxx Xxjaime, said the heavy police presence was “very worrying for the community”.
Police respond to concerns about lack of updates
Residents have continued to ask for more information, with some saying they were evacuated before 6am.
South Wales Police said they understood the concern and would release further details when possible.
The force has not confirmed the nature of the incident or how long the cordon will remain in place.
Police confirm officers remain at the scene
South Wales Police issued a second update:
“Our officers are on the scene at Commercial Street, Abergwynfi. We will provide more info as soon as we can.”
No further details have been released.
Homes evacuated on Commercial Street
Police first confirmed the incident shortly before 8am:
“We are currently dealing with an incident on Commercial Street in Abergwynfi. Properties on the street have been evacuated and we ask the public to please avoid the area whilst the incident is resolved.”
The number of homes evacuated has not been confirmed.
Image: Google Maps
Travel disruption expected
Bridgend County Borough Council has warned that the incident is likely to affect travel from the Bwlch Mountain Road towards Abergwynfi and Neath Port Talbot.
Drivers are being urged to follow police advice and avoid the area.
