Dyfed-Powys Police will be aiming to tackle the high influx of visitors to Tenby’s seaside town once again this summer through the ‘Operation Lion’ scheme to ensure the resort continues to be a safe and popular destination for all to enjoy.

Operation Lion is a partnership initiative involving Dyfed-Powys Police, British Transport Police, Transport for Wales, Great Western Railway, Welsh Ambulance Service, Pembrokeshire Local Authority and local Licensees, with the aim to ensure public safety and deter anti-social behaviour, low level public order and drink related problems to make Tenby and it’s surrounding areas pleasurable places to visit over the forthcoming Summer months.

Under Operation Lion, which will run every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday in Tenby from Saturday, July 20 to Saturday, September 1, more police resources will be dedicated to the area to help cope with the increase of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour the town experiences over the summer.

As well as extra officers on foot patrol around the town from the early afternoon onwards, police will be working closely with local businesses and the community, and taking a robust and positive action to seek out anybody causing anti-social behaviour (ASB), public disorder or causing trouble due to drinking too much alcohol.

Tenby Inspector, Gareth Thomas said: “The likes of Tenby during the summer season gets busier than other towns across the county with the influx of holiday makers to the area, so we will have additional staffing resources from the division drafted in for patrols, as well as dedicated PCSOs.

“The population rises from the 5,000 mark to around 60,000 over the holiday period so it’s a different kettle of fish to police.

“At seaside towns such as Tenby there is the inevitable crossover of families with young children out in the day enjoying the shops, attractions and beaches, with early afternoon drinkers frequenting the pubs and bars.

“That’s our main concern, the cross-over of those revellers mixing with the daytime economy, and with Operation Lion we want to ensure that we provide a safer environment and reassurances on the streets with more daytime foot patrols, where officers can adopt a ‘walk and talk’ approach to ensure a higher visible presence is maintained at all times.

“Tenby really has a nice feel about it and is somewhere I would socialise myself with my family - so Operation Lion aims to ensure a nice safe environment for everyone visiting to enjoy.”

PCs and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) can direct a person to leave an identified area if their behaviour is unacceptable, and not complying when directed can lead to arrest under Section 35 of the of the Crime and Policing Act 2014.

As part of the Behave or be Banned (BOBB) scheme, police and licensees can also ban someone for between one and twelve months. People arrested for offences in licensed premises can be considered for a ban from all participating venues in the area.

For ‘Operation Lion’ - Dyfed-Powys Police will once again be working alongside the British Transport Police and Transport for Wales to help people coming to Tenby by train get to and from the town safely, with police officers from both forces on the trains and the platform on weekends, to help deal with the large numbers of people who use the service.

“Historically the trains have been a problem over the years with individuals arriving to the town already intoxicated, but we’ll be working jointly with the British Transport Police once again to patrol this aspect and stopping people from getting on the trains bound for Tenby in the first place, if their behaviour is not acceptable and they are drunk or under the influence of intoxicants,” continued Insp Thomas.

“The feedback we had last year from this was very well received and we’ll look to continue this good work.”

Sergeant Steve Dawkins, of British Transport Police, said: “Over the last few years we have successfully worked alongside Dyfed Powys Police, Transport for Wales, Great Western Railway and the Local Authority ensuring everyone who visits Tenby can have an enjoyable and memorable time. Tenby is a great place to visit with many attractions and events being held throughout the Summer months.”

“Our priority is to ensure that those using the rail network at this busy time can do so safely. Therefore, if you see additional police officers on patrol remember we are there to make sure that all revellers arrive and leave the festivities safely.

“Our message is clear we do not want to spoil anyone’s evening, although we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour or any form of aggression towards rail staff.

“Anyone who is found to be unfit through alcohol will be refused travel and could find themselves in front of the court.”

A spokesperson for Great Western Railway commented: “GWR is committed to maintaining the safety of our staff and passengers on board our services, and we are delighted to be working with our partners at Dyfed Powys Police, the British Transport Police, and TFW on this project.

“Earlier this Summer we reintroduced our seasonal services to Pembroke Dock, now operating with new Intercity Express Trains and providing almost 25 per cent more seats than the train they have replaced – ensuring even more people can enjoy this beautiful part of the country in a memorable and safe environment.”

Dyfed Powys-Police also have a new county licensing officer Nigel Lewis who recently gained his Professional Licensing Practitioners Qualification (PLPQ) and will be aiming to tackle issues concerning licensed premises, street traders, service providers and taxi licensing, and enforce where appropriate, any infringements of the relevant legislation.

“I will be proactive around the county out on patrols working with PCC officers and also the town council in Tenby to try and educate and enforce,” he explained.

“This week has been National Licensing Week and I myself along with the Neighbourhood Policing Teams have been raising awareness of licensing and its important role in our everyday lives.

“Having somebody on the ground will help and I’ll be inviting colleagues from PCC’s licensing department to walk around with me as a double-hander to educate and enforce over the holiday season,” continued Nigel who also offered praise for the new state of the art CCTV cameras installed in Tenby.

“The new CCTV system is working well and the standard of footage is excellent. It will revolutionise evidence gathering,” he remarked.

The public service desk at Tenby Police Station will also be open at certain times over the busy summer period within the town.

“We will be opening the front desk at the police station as much as possible over the holiday season, and also on the days of events such as Long Course Weekend and Ironman Wales,” added Insp Thomas.