**Heavy Police Presence in Cardiff’s Canton Neighbourhood Following Reports of Weapons**
A significant police response unfolded in Cardiff’s Canton district late on Sunday evening after residents reported seeing individuals allegedly armed with knives. The incident, which prompted the deployment of armed officers, took place at the well-trafficked junction of Leckwith Road and Broad Street.
The situation escalated shortly before 10pm on Sunday. Local witnesses reported seeing a group of police officers—seven in total, including two visibly armed—arrive promptly at the scene. Their swift intervention followed a 999 call logged at 9.49pm, according to sources within South Wales Police.
A spokesperson for the force confirmed that specially trained firearms officers responded due to the nature of the threat. Following the deployment, officers detained four individuals: two men in their thirties, a man in his fifties, and a woman in her forties. Each of them has been arrested on suspicion of affray, an offence related to public disorder and threatening behaviour.
At the time of reporting, the four suspects remain in police custody as detectives continue their investigation. The authorities have assured residents that enquiries remain ongoing, and further details will be released as the investigation progresses. It is currently unclear if any knives were recovered at the scene or what circumstances preceded the call to police.
This latest incident comes against the backdrop of heightened vigilance in the area. Just days prior, South Wales Police implemented a dispersal order covering Cowbridge Road East and its surrounding environs. The order, which ran from 2pm Friday to 2pm Sunday, granted officers additional powers to intervene and disperse groups as a preventive measure. Police cited a recent series of disorderly events as the reason for this increased presence and the necessity for robust intervention.
Such dispersal orders are typically introduced in response to persistent anti-social or criminal behaviour. They allow officers to direct individuals suspected of contributing to disorder to leave the designated zone, or face arrest. In this case, the block included parts of Canton that have experienced a spate of disturbances over recent weeks.
Community reactions to Sunday’s events have been mixed. Some residents expressed concern over violent incidents occurring so close to home, noting the visible presence of armed police as both “alarming and reassuring”. Others praised the prompt and professional actions of law enforcement, stating their hope that increased patrols will curb future incidents and restore public confidence in the area’s safety.
The presence of armed officers—still a relative rarity in the UK—underscores the seriousness with which South Wales Police approached the situation. Use of such resources is typically reserved for instances where there is a credible threat to public safety.
Anyone who witnessed the events near Leckwith Road and Broad Street, or who has relevant information, is urged to contact South Wales Police to assist with ongoing enquiries. The force continues to encourage residents to report suspicious activity and has reassured the public that measures remain in place to maintain their safety.
As the investigation continues, local authorities remain committed to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour across Cardiff, and are urging the public to remain vigilant and cooperative with police efforts.