ABERAVON: Birmingham pensioner arrested on suspicion of carrying blade after beachfront anti-social behaviour report

A 70-year-old man from Birmingham has been arrested at Aberavon beachfront after police responded to a report of anti-social behaviour.

Officers attended the seafront at around 1.40pm on Monday (20 July), South Wales Police said.

On arrival, the man was identified as being subject to police bail conditions — which he was found to be in breach of.

He was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article, and the force said he remained in police custody. No charges have been announced.

Stephen Kinnock — the MP for Aberafan Maesteg, who was appointed Secretary of State for Wales on Tuesday — described the incident as “very concerning news”, adding he was “very grateful for the swift response from South Wales Police”.

The arrest is the latest incident at a seafront where police have fought a long-running battle against summer anti-social behaviour.

Operation Adriatic — a joint beachfront taskforce bringing together police, the council and other agencies — has been relaunched each summer in recent years to tackle trouble at the beach during the warmer months.

Over the Easter holidays, a lifebuoy was set on fire on the beach during a spell of disorder — with police and Port Talbot Coastguard warning the vandalism “could have had dire consequences” had anyone needed rescuing from the water.

The pressures aren’t unique to Aberavon: just last month, officers brought in a dispersal order at Langland Bay after anti-social behaviour reports during the hot weather.

Aberavon remains one of the area’s biggest summer draws — the only beach in Neath Port Talbot to hold a Seaside Award — with crowds swelling during recent heatwaves.

South Wales Police urged anyone noticing frequent anti-social behaviour in their area to report it through the force’s online reporting channels.

The arrest comes as the beachfront heads into the busiest weeks of the summer season, with schools breaking up this week.