A FURTHER six people have been arrested in connection with the escalation of behaviour of protesters at a Llanelli hotel.

The six people were arrested at Stradey Park Hotel, Furnace, Llanelli, and Dyfed-Powys Police are anticipating more arrests.

On October 4, a 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of aggravated trespassing and remains in police custody. The same day, a 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a weapon and criminal damage and has been released on police bail. A 31-year-old man was also arrested on October 4 at his home on suspicion of criminal damage relating to the hotel and remains in police custody.

On October 5, a 56-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of aggravated trespass and remains in police custody. The same day, a 65-year-old man was arrested nearby on suspicion of criminal damage and remains in police custody and a 31-year-old man was also arrested at the scene on suspicion of aggravated trespass who also remains in police custody.

After unrest last weekend, officers escorted security back on site and had a heavy police presence at the site on October 4 in response to the level of disorder and more police officers have been allocated to investigate crimes linked to the hotel site.

Dyfed-Powys Police’s Carmarthenshire commander Superintendent Ross Evans, said: “A protest does not provide an excuse to commit criminal offences.

“Keeping our communities safe is our priority, and as a force, we will always seek to facilitate lawful peaceful protest while balancing it with the rights of others, keeping the public safe and preventing crime and disorder.

“The behaviour of some individuals has gone far beyond what we would expect from a lawful protest over the past week or so.

“We will not tolerate unlawful behaviour – where an offence is committed, we will take all reasonable and proportionate steps to bring offenders to justice.

“Public safety remains our priority and we will continue to listen to and work with all parties.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to appeal for calm to resume and to urge anyone planning to join the protest to follow the example that has been set by local residents, who have demonstrated peacefully over the past few months.

“I would also like to thank the team who have dealt with the disorder at the hotel site over the past week – they continue to face very difficult circumstances.”

The arrests were connected to the escalation in behaviour over the weekend of Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1, where there were two fires and what the police described as ‘significant disorder that resulted in substantial damage to the hotel.’

Anyone who is planning a protest or has any information about the incidents is asked to contact the force on https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, calling 101, or through the force’s social media pages.

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired can text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.