Reports of anti‑social behaviour fall again in Swansea city centre

Partnership approach credited with success

Figures released by Swansea Council and South Wales Police show a 12.1% reduction in reported anti‑social behaviour during the 2025 school holidays. It follows a 38% fall recorded in 2024.

The improvement has been linked to joint work between the council, police and more than 60 partner organisations, who ran a programme of activities for young people at the pop‑up Collaboration Station in St David’s Square.

Over the summer, 98 events, workshops and activities were staged, including an intergenerational festival that drew more than 900 people for a day of music and performances.

Police highlight Operation Daylily

City Centre Inspector Andrew Hedley said the policing operation, known as Operation Daylily, had built on last year’s success.

“We have been able to build on the success of last year to successfully reduce anti‑social behaviour even further,” he said.

“The already established strong partnership working has again been integral to the success of this operation. The addition of a pop‑up base further added to this success in providing a safe and cohesive space for all to use and importantly, signpost relevant people to.”

Inspector Hedley added that while the reduction was positive, more work was needed to make the city centre “a better place to live, work and visit which is free from those intent on causing crime and anti‑social behaviour.”

Council praises young people’s role

Cllr Alyson Anthony, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, said young people had played a key part in the summer programme.

“People can sometimes be too quick to criticise young people, but they brought real energy and some great ideas to the sessions and activities,” she said.

She added that the Collaboration Station work was in addition to “hundreds of free and low‑cost activities for children, young people and families funded by the council across all areas of Swansea.”

Council leader thanks partners

Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said:

“I’d like to thank the police for their enthusiasm in working with us and indeed all our other partners who played an important role this summer.

I think we can all be pleased that there has again been a reported reduction in ASB over the school period. This shows these partnerships really do deliver for all our residents.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Police dispersal order to target Dyfatty antisocial behaviour
South Wales Police introduced a Section 35 dispersal order around Griffith John Street in Swansea after rising reports of antisocial behaviour.

Taskforce aims to clamp down on Aberavon Beach antisocial behaviour
A new multi‑agency taskforce has been launched to tackle antisocial behaviour and improve safety along Aberavon seafront.

Llanelli town centre to see summer crackdown on crime and antisocial behaviour
Police and council partners announced extra patrols and targeted operations in Llanelli town centre during the busy summer months.

Swansea BID and police partnership secures prosecution of prolific graffiti vandal
A joint effort between Swansea BID and South Wales Police led to the successful prosecution of a graffiti offender responsible for widespread tagging.

#activities #antiSocialBehaviour #antisocialBehaviour #CllrAlysonAnthony #CllrRobStewart #CollaborationStation #Festival #OperationDaylily #performances #SouthWalesPolice #StDavidSSquare #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil #workshops

City centre activities and events aim to cut risk of anti-social behaviour

A varied programme of events designed to engage young people and reduce anti-social behaviour in Swansea’s city centre will run throughout the school summer holidays.

Drop-in rugby sessions, social gatherings, barbecues, a police community day and an inter-generational music festival in St David’s Square are among the activities planned. The programme expands on last year’s City Chill initiative, which contributed to a significant drop in anti-social behaviour across the city centre and marina area during the summer break.

A key part of this year’s programme is the continuation of Tackle After Dark, a weekly evening session run by Ospreys in the Community, in partnership with South Wales Police and Swansea Council. Held at the Collaboration Station in the former Cranes Music store, the initiative has attracted around 30 young people each week since April.

Inspector Andrew Hedley said the programme is already making a difference. “We are pleased to support the ongoing partnership initiative with Swansea Council and Ospreys in the Community and have already seen the benefits of increased interaction between officers and those in attendance,” he said. “This is just one example of the significant engagement work ongoing over the summer which aims to provide young people with a safe environment and positive things to do, to reduce the chances of anti-social behaviour being committed.”

Councillor Hayley Gwilliam, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Support, said the Collaboration Station will be a hub of activity this summer. “Some people are often too quick to criticise young people today but they have come up with some great ideas and have shown energy and positivity as we have worked with partners to plan a summer of activities,” she said. “The offering at the Collaboration Station is in addition to hundreds of free and low cost activities for young people and families funded by the council across all areas of Swansea as part of our #HereForYouThisSummer campaign”.

Tom Sloane, head of community foundation at Ospreys in the Community, said the initiative is helping to build trust and promote respect. “Through initiatives like Tackle After Dark, we’re not only creating a safe and welcoming space for young people to connect and grow, but also showing how sport can play a powerful role in building trust, breaking down barriers, and promoting respect,” he said. “The engagement and enthusiasm we’ve seen week after week proves there’s a real appetite for opportunities that are inclusive, supportive, and community-driven.”

#antisocialBehaviour #CityChill #CllrHayleyGwilliam #CollaborationStation #HereForYouThisSummer #OspreysInTheCommunity #SouthWalesPolice #StDavidSSquare #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #TackleAfterDark