Cardiff Bay Police Issued Extra Dispersal Powers This Weekend 2026

Key Points

• South Wales Police have enacted a Section 35 dispersal order across Cardiff Bay to target anti-social behaviour over the weekend.
• The order grants uniformed police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) the authority to direct individuals to leave the designated zone.
• Specific locations covered by the dispersal order include Harbour Drive, Britannia Quay, and Cargo Road.
• The measure applies if officers believe individuals are causing—or are likely to cause—harassment, alarm, or distress to members of the public.
• Failure to comply with a dispersal direction under Section 35 constitutes a criminal offence, which can lead to arrest.

Cardiff Bay (Cardiff Daily) August 22, 2026 – South Wales Police have officially granted officers temporary additional legal powers to combat ongoing anti-social behaviour in and around the Cardiff Bay area throughout this weekend. The preventative measure, implemented in response to local concerns regarding public disorder, allows uniformed officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to directly instruct individuals or groups to leave the specified area if they are deemed to be causing, or likely to cause, harassment, alarm, or distress to others.

Why have police been granted extra powers in Cardiff Bay this weekend?

The decision to implement a Section 35 dispersal order comes under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Under standard policing capabilities, moving individuals on from public spaces without reasonable suspicion of a specific criminal offence can be legally constrained.

However, the enactment of the Section 35 order significantly lowers the threshold for intervention, allowing law enforcement personnel to proactively remove individuals from designated zones before tensions escalate into formal criminal activity or widespread disturbance.

Which specific areas are affected by the Cardiff Bay dispersal order?

The designated dispersal zone encompasses several prominent public hotspots within the Cardiff Bay precinct. Key locations explicitly covered by the operational order include Harbour Drive, Britannia Quay, and Cargo Road, alongside surrounding thoroughfares and public spaces.

These areas, which attract heavy pedestrian traffic, local residents, and visitors during the weekend, have been prioritized to ensure public safety and maintain order across both commercial and residential sectors of the Bay.

How does a Section 35 order work and what happens if someone refuses to leave?

When a Section 35 dispersal order is active, a uniformed police officer or PCSO has the authority to issue a formal written or verbal direction to any individual who is engaging in anti-social behaviour, or whose presence is deemed likely to lead to harassment, alarm, or distress.

The direction requires the individual to leave the specified geographic zone immediately and prohibits them from returning to the designated area for a period of up to 48 hours. If an individual fails to comply with the direction given by an officer, or returns to the excluded area within the specified timeframe, they commit a criminal offence and face potential arrest, prosecution, and a fine or imprisonment upon conviction.

Explore More Cardiff Bay News

Cardiff Office Block Converted Into 78 Council Apartments Cardiff Bay 2026

Senedd Summer Recess Explained, Cardiff Bay 2026

What is the background of Section 35 orders in Cardiff Bay?

The implementation of temporary dispersal powers in Cardiff Bay reflects an ongoing management strategy by South Wales Police to address localized anti-social behaviour, particularly during weekends and warmer months when footfall increases substantially.

Cardiff Bay—a major entertainment, cultural, and residential hub featuring restaurants, public plazas, and waterfront walkways—has periodically experienced spikes in localized disorder, youth congregation, public drinking, and noise complaints.

Historically, South Wales Police have deployed Section 35 orders as a targeted, short-term policing tool to mitigate public nuisance without placing permanent restrictions on the broader community.

By defining specific geographic boundaries—such as Britannia Quay and Harbour Drive—authorities aim to maintain open public spaces for residents, businesses, and tourists, while providing front-line personnel with immediate statutory powers to diffuse potential conflicts before they require formal detainment or criminal charging.

How will this development affect local residents, businesses, and visitors?

The enforcement of the Section 35 dispersal order directly impacts several key demographics within the Cardiff Bay waterfront area throughout the weekend:

• Local Residents: Residents living near Harbour Drive, Britannia Quay, and Cargo Road are likely to experience an increased, highly visible police presence. The order is intended to reduce noise disturbances, street harassment, and public disorder near residential developments, offering elevated public reassurance over high-footfall periods.
• Businesses and Hospitality Venues: Retail outlets, venues, and dining establishments along the waterfront often experience operational friction when anti-social behaviour deters patronage. The extra policing powers aim to preserve a safe shopping and dining environment, safeguarding economic activity while minimizing disruptions to business operations.
• Visitors and General Public: Law-abiding members of the public visiting Cardiff Bay for leisure, dining, or tourism can expect normal access to amenities, as the order does not restrict lawful gatherings or public access generally. However, individuals or groups whose behaviour borders on disruptive may be swiftly approached by officers and instructed to vacate the boundary immediately.