Four people are arrested for violent disorder after three people were stabbed and another three were injured as drinkers were evacuated from bars in Cardiff city centre
- Terrified drinkers were evacuated from bars as the chaos unfolded last night
- Onlookers watched as a young man was ‘repeatedly tasered’ on the floor
- Four people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder after incident
- One person is in serious condition at hospital with head injuries, force confirmed
- In total, six people are being treated in hospital, three suffering stab wounds
Four people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder after three were stabbed and another three were injured in a ‘large disturbance’ in Cardiff city centre last night.
Terrified drinkers were evacuated from nearby bars as the chaos unfolded, with witnesses watching a young man ‘repeatedly tasered’ on the floor by officers.
Three people who were allegedly stabbed remain in hospital along with one who suffered head injuries and was said by police to be in a serious condition.
South Wales Police said detectives are continuing to investigate a ‘large disturbance’ in Queen Street at about 9.50pm on Saturday.
They described it as an ‘isolated incident involving local youths’ and urged parents who suspect their child was involved to come forward.
Police presence Cardiff city centre after six people were taken to hospital following violent disorder on Saturday night
A police crime scene investigator puts a glove in an evidence bag on Queen Street in Cardiff
South Wales Police said detectives are continuing to investigate the ‘large disturbance’ last night
Police described it as an ‘isolated incident involving local youths’ and urged parents who suspect their child was involved to come forward
Detective Superintendent Esyr Jones said: ‘This was a violent and completely unacceptable incident, which has understandably caused alarm within the local community.
‘A team of 20 detectives are currently investigating the incident, trawling through vast amounts of CCTV and speaking to a number of witnesses, and I want to reassure the public that we will be relentless in identifying and arresting all those involved.
‘This appears to have been an isolated incident involving local youths, all of whom can expect to find officers knocking at their doors as inquiries progress.
‘We work closely with a wide range of partners to ensure that incidents of this nature are rare and the public should be assured that Cardiff remains a safe place in which to live, work and visit.’
He added: ‘We are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information which could assist the investigation to come forward.
One victim is in a serious condition with head injuries and three people are believed to have been stabbed, South Wales Police said. Pictured, police at the scene
The force received multiple reports of a ‘large disturbance’ on Queen Street at around 9.50pm on Saturday and two people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and are currently in custody in Cardiff Bay
‘In particular, I’d urge any parent who suspects their child was involved in any way to come forward.
‘Tackling knife crime is the responsibility of us all and any parents who have suspicions about their children being involved are not protecting them by remaining quiet.’
The taser was used to detain one man who police said had obstructed officers responding to the incident.
He is not believed to have been involved in the disorder.
One witness, who goes by the name of Anna, shared footage of what she claimed was a man being ‘pepper sprayed and tasered for resisting arrest’.
Onlookers watched as a young man was ‘repeatedly tasered’ (pictured) on the floor as several emergency vehicles were reported at the scene
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and are in custody in Cardiff Bay. Pictured: Video footage taken at the scene
Anther man was ‘unconscious receiving paramedic help’, she said.
Other onlookers have reported hearing loud bangs near to the scene.
Sophie Zermatten, 27, told WalesOnline: ‘I thought they were fireworks when I first heard them.’
She said ‘it was clear that something big or serious had happened by the sheer number of police involved’.
Another passerby Elizabeth Winter said she described what she called a ‘serious incident on Queen Street in Cardiff City Centre’.
She wrote on Twitter: ‘Packed full of police cars and ambulances. Police have now cleared the area and taped it off.
‘A young man has been tasered repeatedly by police after resisting attempts to restrain him.’
She added: ‘Area completely surrounded by police vehicles.
‘Overheard talk of a stabbing, but police have not confirmed. Officers are questioning people in the surrounding streets.’