Sergeant Sam Johnson from South Wales Police has explained why officers have been unable to prevent people drinking alcohol on the Esplanade throughout the pandemic.

During last night's Penarth Town Council meeting, she cited the following factors:

- Welsh Government restrictions

- Licensing regulations

- A lack of support from Vale of Glamorgan Council enforcement officers

- "Ongoing issues with certain businesses"

Residents have voiced concerns that the sale and consumption of alcohol on the Esplanade may have contributed to the spread of COVID-19.

Under current restrictions, people are not allowed to leave the house for the purpose of drinking and socialising.

But Nub News can confirm reports of drinkers gathering along the Esplanade and in Windsor Gardens over recent weeks.

Why, according to Sgt Johnson, is more not being done to stop them?

Restrictions and regulations

During the meeting, Cllr Nigel Humphrey asked Sgt Johnson:

"Why is it that premises there are able to sell beer in plastic containers and people then walk off and start drinking?"

Sgt Johnson replied:

"The Welsh Government put in place that businesses with off-sale licenses are able to sell alcohol in a sealed container.

"I have contacted Trading Standards [...] and they have been informed that it doesn't matter what container alcohol is sold in, as long as that container is sealed."

Because of this, off-sale licenced Esplanade businesses are within their rights to sell alcohol in plastic cups with lids on.

"Ongoing issues with certain businesses"

Questioned on the extent to which bars and restaurants along the Esplanade are responsible for the problem, Sgt Johnson said:

"As long as businesses are able to trade off their licence, we are going to have people attending.

"I have sent reports to senior management in my department and senior officers in the Council with regard to the ongoing issues we're having with certain businesses on the Esplanade.

"I am passionate to ensure that I keep the community safe, and at present, with some of these businesses, it's been quite a difficult challenge."

While Beachcliff Fish and Chips decided in January to stop serving alcohol after watching the problem develop, businesses like Casa Margarita and Pickford's Galley & Bar have continued to.

"I don't know what the problem is actually," said a Casa Margarita employee who wishes to remain anonymous.

"We enforce social distancing. The drinks we serve have lids on them and we tell people to take them home. So we can't do much more than that really.

"We're just about getting by, and we're doing everything they've asked us to do - so I don't know how we can be blamed."

We have been unable to reach Pickford's Galley & Bar for comment.

Sgt Johnson seemed to suggest that continuing to trade in these circumstances might impact future licensing.

"Is it reasonable to ask that the licensing officer is aware of the problems this is causing and the concerns ready for the next time these licenses are considered?

"If they are able to continue to trade, there is a concern over how the Esplanade is going to look in the future."

Lack of support from Vale

Since a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was introduced in 2017, Penarth Esplanade has been a Controlled Alcohol Zone.

Residents have asked why officers have not been confiscating alcohol on these grounds.

"In relation to the PSPO, only the council enforcement officers have the powers to enforce it," said Sgt Johnson.

"We've requested them to attend each weekend and so far we've had no attendance."

A statement on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan Joint Enforcement Team said:

"Made up of police and council officers, the JETs work collaboratively to take action against individuals, businesses and licensed premises which blatantly fail to comply with coronavirus regulations or repeatedly breach them.

"The Esplanade is one of many beauty spots in South Wales which has attracted visitors and required concerted efforts by the team, and we remain jointly committed to addressing issues raised by residents and business owners in order to keep our communities safe."

Can the police do more?

Some have been surprised to see officers present at the weekend Esplanade roadblock while people have been drinking alcohol nearby.

Why do the officers not break up the groups using their COVID-19 police powers?

This appears partially because those present are often PCSOs, who can only encourage groups to disperse and call police officers for support.

However, Nub News was present at 17:50 on Saturday 6 March when a police van containing at least six officers arrived to break up drinking groups.

Sgt Johnson said there will be a larger presence of officers in the coming weeks.

"We've got overtime for the next four to six weeks where we'll have officers there every single day and we're drafting in some PCSOs from another sector to help out on the weekend.

"We're hoping if we can continue with a robust approach with the road closures in place and questioning people we're going to reduce the demand down there."