A 16-year-old has been arrested following an alleged racially-aggravated offence at a Tesco store.

Officers from South Wales Police attended Tesco in Tidal Reach, Pontarddulais, on Sunday, November 22, after reports of abusive behaviour towards staff.

People working at the store were “verbally used” and a group of youths caused damage, according to a police statement released on Sunday evening.

Following the incident, police confirmed that a young male was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence at the store.

Pontarddulais Town Council mayor David Beynon said there have been issues at the Tesco store in the past with some people “intimidated” by groups of youths congregating outside.

He said: “When you’ve got people frightened to go shopping after dark that isn’t right.

“People have told me that they’re intimidated when walking past the kids, and people going to work in Tesco and parking their cars in the car park are afraid to go out when the kids are there.”

Mr Beynon said that he understands that the police are under pressure at the moment but offenders should be “clamped down on”.

He added that the majority of youths in Pontarddulais are “good” and it is a small minority that are causing the problems.

“We pay the same rates here as in Swansea and Neath and we deserve a little help.

“This has been going on long before Covid but the scale has increased, especially during school holidays.” he said.

South Wales Police and Pontarddulais Town Council continue to discuss the issue at PACT meetings, but Mr Beynon argued “more action” was needed.