Six more arrests linked to protest at Stradey Park Hotel

Six more people have been arrested this week for activity linked to the protest at the Stradey Park Hotel in Furnace, Llanelli.

There was a heavy police presence at the site last night (Wednesday 4 October 2023) in response to the level of disorder in recent days, and officers also escorted security back on to the site, following the unrest of the previous weekend.

More police officers have been allocated to investigate crimes linked to the hotel site and more arrests are anticipated.

A 39-year-old man was last night (4 October) arrested at the scene on suspicion of aggravated trespassing. He remains in police custody.

A 56-year-old man was arrested nearby (on 4 October) on suspicion of possessing a weapon, and criminal damage. He has been released on police bail.

A 31-year-old man was last night (4 October) arrested at his home address on suspicion of criminal damage. He remains in police custody.

A 56-year-old man has today (5 October) been arrested at the scene on suspicion of aggravated trespass. He remains in police custody.

A 65-year-old man has today (5 October) been arrested nearby on suspicion of criminal damage. He remains in police custody.

A sixth man, aged 31, has also today (5 October) been arrested at the scene on suspicion of aggravated trespass. He remains in police custody.

The force is now continuing their appeal to protestors to resume peaceful protest at the site.

“A protest does not provide an excuse to commit criminal offences,” said Carmarthenshire Commander, Superintendent Ross Evans.

“Keeping our communities safe is our priority, and as a force, we will always seek to facilitate lawful peaceful protest while balancing it with the rights of others, keeping the public safe and preventing crime and disorder,” he continued.

“The behaviour of some individuals has gone far beyond what we would expect from a lawful protest over the past week or so.

“We will not tolerate unlawful behaviour – where an offence is committed, we will take all reasonable and proportionate steps to bring offenders to justice.

“Public safety remains our priority and we will continue to listen to and work with all parties.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to appeal for calm to resume and to urge anyone planning to join the protest to follow the example that has been set by local residents, who have demonstrated peacefully over the past few months.”

“I would also like to thank the team who have dealt with the disorder at the hotel site over the past week – they continue to face very difficult circumstances.”

These latest arrests are connected to the concerning escalation in behaviour of some protestors over the weekend of Saturday 30 September to Sunday 1 October 2023 which included two fires and significant disorder that resulted in substantial damage to the hotel.

If you are planning a protest or have any information about the incidents that have taken place over recent days, please contact police either through social media, via our website: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by email: 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.