Gwent Police have arrested four men and launched a violent disorder investigation after a group clashed in Pontnewynydd, near Pontypool, leaving two people in a critical condition in hospital and prompting a significant police response involving firearms officers and a police helicopter.
Four men have been arrested and two people remain in a critical condition in hospital following violent clashes between a group of men in South Wales. Gwent Police said the disturbance broke out in Pontnewynydd, near Pontypool, at around 7.15pm on Thursday. Firearms officers and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) were deployed to support local officers responding to the incident on Mill Road, reflecting the seriousness with which the force treated the disorder.
What happened
According to Gwent Police, the disorder involved a group of men in the Torfaen village of Pontnewynydd, on the outskirts of Pontypool. Four men have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, with two currently in police custody. Three men were taken to hospital following the incident, two of whom remain in a critical condition, while a third is receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the clashes.
Given the scale of the response, police established a large crime scene covering parts of Mill Road and Hospital Road, with road closures and diversions remaining in place into Friday morning while forensic investigations continued.
Police response
Detective Chief Superintendent Anne-Marie Salwey addressed the incident, saying: “Violence in any form is completely unacceptable… we will not accept this behaviour in our communities.” She added: “We recognise that reports of this nature will prompt concern from our residents and it is likely that you will see officers in and around the area conducting enquiries as part of this investigation.”
Gwent Police have increased patrols in the area in an effort to reassure local residents and gather further evidence as the investigation progresses. Detectives have not indicated that they are searching for any additional suspects at this stage, though enquiries remain ongoing as officers examine CCTV, dashcam footage and witness accounts.
The legal context
Under the Public Order Act 1986, violent disorder is committed when three or more people use or threaten unlawful violence together in a way that would cause a person of reasonable firmness to fear for their safety. The offence carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.
No information has yet been released about what triggered the disorder, or whether those involved were known to one another, with detectives continuing to investigate the circumstances that led up to the clashes.
Police appeal
Police have asked anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage from the area around Hospital Road and Mill Road between 7pm and 7.30pm on Thursday to come forward. Officers are particularly keen to hear from motorists who may have captured relevant footage on dashcams, as well as residents with doorbell camera or CCTV recordings from the time of the incident.
