Travel warning as crowds flock to Welsh beauty spots

Police have warned people about travelling to beauty spots in Wales after cars were towed away from a number of locations.

As temperatures soared and crowds headed to areas such as Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons, officers have been working with council officials to keep the roadsides safe.

People gathering at Cardiff Bay have also been warned antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated.

On Friday police made two arrests.

Forces across Wales have urged people to think before heading out as hotspots such as the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia become busy.

Dyfed-Powys officers have been patrolling the area around Storey Arms in the Brecon Beacons, helping to remove vehicles deemed to have been parked illegally.

And several car parks in Snowdonia were packed by mid-morning, with highways officials also saying there was congestion on the A55 in Gwynedd.

North Wales Police warned there were problems elsewhere in the county.

One "dangerously parked" car was moved from the A5 in the Ogwen Valley, Gwynedd, while traffic heading for the beach in Abersoch was causing a "considerable build-up" in the village.

Meanwhile, a two-week-old harbour seal pup is recovering after Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Team helped rescue it when it became stranded on the town's beach on Friday.

Officials from the organisation advised people not to approach a seal if they see one on a beach as they can act unpredictably and may have cuts that have become infected. Often, they are resting but could have become stranded.

With the warm weather, Dyfed-Powys Police is concerned illegal raves could be planned for beauty spots in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

It has warned people to look out for the signs - such an unusual number of vehicles, including camper vans, heading to an area, and people approaching landowners to ask about it.

In Cardiff Bay, a large number of visitors flocked to the area on Friday evening, despite the council cordoning off the amphitheatre section of Roald Dahl Plass with barriers following incidents over previous weekends.

Police said "dispersal and confiscation powers were used after some 130 people arrived with alcohol, nitrous oxide cannisters and a large music system - some of whom had previously been subject to police warnings in recent weeks".

One man was arrested for allegedly obstructing a police officer as the sound system was confiscated.

And a woman was arrested for allegedly being drunk and disorderly for a second week, the force said.

Det Ch Insp Lloyd Williams said: "As we've seen in recent weeks, it was the actions of a small minority who were intent on ruining it for others.

"Additional measures were in place this weekend, including marshals and barriers, and the vast majority of visitors were respectful of the measures and were supportive of our officers and the efforts being made to keep everyone safe.

"As a result, the atmosphere was largely positive.

"Dispersal powers were used, a small number of disturbances were broken up and, where necessary, alcohol and other items were confiscated.

"Our policing approach will continue throughout the weekend so our message to those intending to visit is clear - please visit, abide by restrictions and enjoy.

"Anyone intent on acting in an antisocial or criminal manner will be dealt with robustly."