Ogmore-by-Sea: Police probe reports of mass brawl at beach

Police have launched an investigation after videos shared online showed a mass brawl at a beach.

Videos posted on social media showed huge crowds at Ogmore-by-Sea, Vale of Glamorgan, followed by violent clashes.

South Wales Police tweeted a plea to parents to "check where your children are" after reports of "large numbers of young people" gathering on the coast.

The force said it was "aware of videos circulating on social media" and inquiries were ongoing.

In another tweet, officers said: "We'd like to remind people that restrictions remain in place and to adhere to social distancing guidelines."

One Ogmore resident, who did not want to be named, said: "It has been building for a few days, increasing numbers day on day.

"This evening there was probably a few hundred drinking from very early, around 8:20 the fight started but I couldn't say exactly why it started."

Porthcawl RNLI confirmed it had attended an incident on Thursday evening and "assisted 45 people who were trapped at the river mouth by the incoming tide".

The Welsh Ambulance Service said it had not been called to the scene.

Former Conservative leader in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies, who is based in the Vale of Glamorgan, tweeted about "some pretty ugly scenes" on the beach.

Under current coronavirus guidelines in Wales, people from two different households are able to meet outdoors, but must maintain social distancing.

As a guideline, people meeting outside should do so within five miles of their home - there is no restriction on the number of people at any one time, but getting together with members of more than one household at the same time will be illegal.