Officers step up patrols at event

Police are stepping up patrols at tonight's Llanidloes Fancy Dress in a bid to protect "potentially vulnerable" children.

Dyfed-Powys officers will be on foot patrol to protect children who are in the town centre late at night.

Former Llanidloes man Alexander Meyer, 25, of Sandford-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in October after admitting two charges of raping a 13-year-old girl at last year's event.

Inspector Paul Ridley, of Newtown police, said officers would be directing children home or asking their parents to collect them.

He said: "With this high-profile event Llanidloes gets very busy with revellers, which can sometimes lead to anti-social behaviour.

"Therefore, we will be targeting children aged between 11 and 17 who are congregating in town centres and ensuring their safety.

"I'm appealing to parents to know of their children's whereabouts and what they are doing. We don't want them coming to police attention through illness or disorder as a result of alcohol and we will make seizures if necessary."

Nick Venti, organiser of the event, said: "We're hoping things will go well and without any trouble.

"This year we're celebrating the 40th anniversary of the event."

He said street closures for the event would be put in place at 6pm and judging would start in Great Oak Street from 7.30pm.