Resort falls prey to stag revellers (From Western Telegraph)

Resort falls prey to stag revellers

Police have confirmed they are investigating a spate of serious sexual assaults in the Tenby area which has led to them expressing concern about the behaviour of some individuals who come to the town on stag and hen parties.

It was revealed last week that 11 members of a single-sex party from the Abertillery area of Gwent had been arrested and questioned following an alleged assault on a 17-year-old girl which took place during a stag weekend in Tenby at the end of June.

And officers are continuing extensive inquiries into a number of other incidents involving serious sexual assaults being reported.

The population of the Tenby area increases six-fold in the summer and is boosted year-round by stag and hen parties, mainly at weekends. Extra police, including special constables, are on duty in the town centre at peak times to give a high-visibility profile with the aim of de-fusing any potential incidents.

Chief Inspector Roger Hughes, the officer responsible for Pembrokeshires policing operations admits that most of the single-sex groups are well-behaved.

Nevertheless, increased levels of public disorder and other criminal behaviour have been recently experienced, often fuelled by irresponsible consumption of alcohol, he added.

These offences include sexual assaults which are often committed by people who are not resident in the area.

Chief Inspector Hughes acknowledged the very high level of support from the community of Tenby, particularly the licensees who work with the local licensing team, and volunteers who operate the towns CCTV system.

The intention of the police in Tenby is to maintain a good quality of life for its residents and visitors, he added. The police vigorously investigate reported crime and have had considerable success in detecting a high proportion of serious offences.

All I ask is that people visiting Tenby take a responsible attitude to their behaviour. Failure to do so can have an adverse effect on the town, and could lead to very serious personal consequences.