Don’t Let Your EURO 2016 Experience Go By In A Flash!

For Wales, the 2016 European Championships have been a successful one, with the Welsh team taking on Belgium at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille this Friday in the quarter finals. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

South Wales Police want fans in Wales, and across the water in France, to stay safe, be sensible and have fun. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Chief Inspector Stephen Jones said: “The behaviour of fans supporting the Welsh team has been a testament to the passion we have for the sport however, a small percentage of football fans have been discharging smoke flares in fan zones and sporting venues both here in Wales and in France. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“During a time where the current terrorist threat level is of serious concern for the Euro 2016 police operation, I am asking fans to show restraint and not use these dangerous devices as they put the safety of the public in serious jeopardy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Event organisers, supported by Police Officers, will be carrying out rigorous searches at fan zones and sporting venues for the upcoming matches to prevent fans spoiling the match. We will be utilising our highly skilled and trained explosive search dogs to detect devices. If you are found with a smoke flare on you it will prevent your entry to the fan zone and could result in possible prosecution for those identified as committing an offence. South Wales Police and event organisers will take positive action on anyone trying to enter fan zones and sporting venues with these devices.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A fan zone is being set up in Cardiff and, due to anticipated high demand, fans are asked to set off early and prepare for queues as event organisers and South Wales Police carry out searches to ensure public safety and protection. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​