29-07-2025
Teenager found with knife and balaclava at Rhayader Carnival
A teenager found with a knife, a balaclava and drugs during a police operation at Rhayader Carnival.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers apprehended a 16-year-old at the weekend as part of a force-wide operation.
This was one of many actions which took place at the carnival as part of Operation Vigilant which has seen police 'act as disruption teams to prevent sexual and violent offences from taking place'.
Officers in Powys saw an opportunity to use Vigilant as a way of keeping carnival-goers safe in Rhayader on Saturday, July 19.
Specially trained officers from Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion travelled to assist Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire and Breconshire response teams, and Radnorshire Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team in supporting the event.
The force confirmed that during the day, a 16-year-old was spotted in possession of a knife by plain clothed officers and was later stop searched by uniformed colleagues.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that these were seized, and that the teenager remains under investigation.
Seven further positive stop searches were also carried out on under 18s who were found in possession of cannabis.
In the main streets of Rhayader, a number of women who were considered vulnerable through intoxication were assisted by officers to find safer spaces in order to prevent them coming to potential harm.
Police confirmed that 'a considerable amount of alcohol was also seized from underage drinkers throughout the evening'.
Officers also confirmed that a young child who was found alone was returned to their parents.
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'This was the first time we have held a Project Vigilant operation in Powys, and it was a great preventative success,' said Superintendent Chris Neve.
'The aim of Vigilant is to ensure the safety of people primarily on a night out, and to prevent sexual or serious offences from taking place.
'In this case we were looking out for all those attending Rhayader carnival, which is a busy day and evening, and our aim was to make sure everyone could enjoy safely.
'Prevention is a hugely important part of policing, and by working in teams of officers who look out for and disrupt potential criminal behaviour we can really make a difference in stopping potential offences before they happen.'
