Zero tolerance pledge as five arrested over three attacks in Newtown
Police have warned of a zero tolerance approach to violent crime after five youths were arrested for three separate attacks in Mid Wales.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, teenager Danny Foulkes was attacked while walking alone through the Gravel car park in Newtown.
He was left with head injuries and spent time in hospital following the incident.
Dyfed-Powys police have confirmed people have also been injured in two other incidents, with one man suffering a broken leg.
Appealing for information into the attack on Mr Foulkes, police officers said they believe a group of up to ten young people were involved between 2am and 4pm.
Two males suffered injuries in a similar area on Sunday between 1.30am and 2.30am.
Also on Saturday evening, between 11pm and 11.30pm, a man suffered a broken leg during an incident on the Dolfor Road near Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd.
He was assaulted while helping a taxi driver he was with deal with with a group of youths throwing objects at the taxis.
Five males have been arrested, and further arrests are planned, with inspector Jonathan Rees-Jones insisting a 'zero tolerance approach' is being undertaken to prevent further anti-social behaviour and violent crimes.
He said: “The Newtown neighbourhood policing team have liaised with Newtown High School and are to visit the school to relay the very important message that this behaviour is seriously impacting upon the community and must cease immediately.
“We ask that anyone with any possible information who may have witnessed the incidents or who may have viewed footage after the events to contact Newtown police station on 101 or to call into the station at normal day hours.
“All of the incidents above are currently under full investigation.”
The assault on Mr Foulkes prompted his father Duncan to launch a campaign for more police officers to be put on the street, and for CCTV cameras to be turned back on in the town.
A petition has been started and will be taken to Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llewellyn and assembly member Russell George, with over 700 signatures gathered just hours after it begun.
A statement from the family on the petition said: "We as a family have decided to take positive action following the unprovoked attack on our son, Danny, in Newtown last weekend.
"We would appeal to all our family, friends, acquaintances and anyone who cares about the safety of people in our town to support this petition.
"We cannot sit idly by and watch other families suffer at the hands of mindless thugs and drug dealers.
"It's time to fight back. Please join the campaign."
To see the petition visit change.org/p/cctv-and-more-police-needed-in-newtown
