Operation Elstree: CCTV van deployed to keep coastal areas family friendly.

South Wales Police efforts to keep Ogmore-by-Sea a safe and family-friendly place to visit this summer are continuing with Operation Elstree.

The force’s CCTV van has been deployed to the beach this weekend to deter anti-social behaviour.

A Section 35 notice is also place to give officers the power to move people on if they are acting in an anti-social manner.

Visitors are reminded to please drink responsibly, park legally and adhere to regulations.

Op Elstree covers key locations including Cardiff Bay, Penarth and Barry Island, as well as the Heritage Coastline stretch between Rhoose Point and Ogmore-by-Sea.

It was launched in May and will run until September.

Colleagues in British Transport Police have noticed a recent increase in visitors travelling by train to coastal areas.

We urge all users of public transport to please respect measures which are there to keep you safe and show respect to staff.

Chief Inspector Bella Rees, from South Wales Police, said: “We will continue to work with our partners including British Transport Police, over the summer, to proactively patrol key areas to prevent anti-social behaviour and criminality, and keep the community safe.

“With the school summer holidays just around the corner we expect our coastal areas to get even busier with thousands of visitors to local campsites.

“Thankfully the vast majority of people who visit our beautiful coastal areas behave appropriately and in accordance with the regulations.

“But we will not tolerate the behaviour of a minority who consume excess alcohol and ruin the quiet enjoyment for law-abiding citizens.”

Visitors can expect to see the force’s CCTV van.

So far, it has proved effective in preventing anti-social behaviour, maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere and at times potentially life-saving. Officers monitoring CCTV in Barry Island noticed three

young children drifting out to sea on airbeds. They alerted the RNLI who brought the youngsters to safety.

While recent weekends have been largely good natured, Section 35 notices in Barry Island and Ogmore by Sea give officers the power to move people on if they are acting in an anti-social manner.

Visitors are also reminded that enforcement action will be taken against those not parked legally.