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Police have issued a dispersal order following fears of a "large serious disorder" in Pontypridd .

South Wales Police said the order comes after gatherings of youths over the bank holiday weekend and to protect the public.

The Section 35 Order covers the town centres of Aberdare , Mountain Ash and Pontypridd and lasts for the remainder of the bank holiday.

On Saturday police said they had received information about a planned gathering that night hours after a large group of youths were seen in the town centre on Friday night.

The order gives a police constable and a police community support officer in uniform the power to exclude a person from an area for a period of up to 48 hours.

Police said it was to "ensure the safety of the public" and to "reduce the risk of any anti-social behaviour or disorder". Extra patrols will also be carried out in the areas covered.

It comes after people reported seeing large groups of young people in the town centre on Friday night and some were seen travelling there by train from other parts of Rhondda Cynon Taf .

A Section 60 Notice was in place on Saturday evening which meant police could stop and search anyone across a large part of the Valleys.

On Sunday police said: "We are pleased to report that there were no significant issues in these areas on Saturday night due to our increased visibility and patrols and following our use of Section 60 powers."

On Friday police said they knew about a planned "large gathering of young people" in Ynysangharad Park but said the public should not be concerned and that no offences had taken place.

Police at Pontypridd Railway Station on Saturday night:

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They said they were contacted by concerned residents and that large groups of youths had been dispersed.

Rachel Locke said: "I drove through a gang of hundreds of kids about 6.30pm running out of Ponty park across the main road and a load heading towards the train station."

One person posted in Trallwn and Coedpenmaen Community Page : "I just walked home through town. It's surreal. I've never seen so many teenagers in one place."

One woman said: "I have just been down to the town centre. There were different groups of 20 and 30 young people. There is also a heavy police presence."

Now officers are appealing for anyone who may have information about why youths gathered in Pontypridd on Friday night or are aware of anything about the suggestion there may be further issues over the bank holiday.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.