Residents of a south Wales town are under investigation after they mistook a youth group visiting a summer camp for an influx of asylum seekers.
Gwent Police has launched a probe into “inappropriate and offensive” comments made online after a video was shared on Facebook last week claiming to show illegal immigrants in Newbridge.
However, the bus contained members of a charitable youth group from across the UK that had been enjoying a trip to CRAI Scout Activity Park.
The visitors, some of which were from Scotland, included children, families, teenagers, and group leaders.
The video, which also alleged police were guarding the site, has since been deleted.
Temporary Chief Superintendent Jason White said: “The video was removed but some of the posts contained inappropriate and offensive language and enquiries into the nature of the posts are ongoing.
“While that work takes place, there are some mistruths circulating on social media which we’d like to correct.
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“The group featured in the video were visiting from another part of the country to attend a frequently used Scout camp in Newbridge and many of the people in the video are children.
“The site is not used to house anyone on a permanent basis. The site is used by our dog handlers to train our police dogs when not used for visits and our officers are not guarding the location.
“So, with that in mind, we’re asking everyone to consider the tone and sentiment of their language but also for people to think twice about what they might read online and look for trusted voices within our communities.”
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CRAI Scout Activity Park is a campsite and activity centre.
ScoutsCymru said: “CRAI Scout Activity Park is an inclusive and welcoming campsite and activity centre in the South Wales Valleys offering a range of outdoor activities for youth and community groups.
“We are aware of a racially aggravated incident targeting under-18s who were leaving after visiting our activity centre and are working closely with the police to address this situation.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone on site and will continue to take immediate and robust action against any behaviour that threatens this.”
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In response to ScoutsCymru’s statement on Facebook, one woman took aim at the “village idiots” who mistook the visiting group for migrants.
Another woman wrote: “Where are the hundreds of comments on this post? Too ashamed to show themselves up now.
“Targeting people because of the colour of their skin. What I saw on social media was a disgrace. So sorry to these children and teenagers.”
