Moment lockdown flouters flee police raid at beauty salon in South Wales
CCTV footage shows eight people running from the premise out of the fire exit
(Gwent Police)This is the moment eight people fled a beauty salon in south Wales after police raided the property and discovered the business was “blatantly” breaching coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Gwent Police responded to reports that Euphoria Tanning Hair and Beauty in Glyndwr Road, Cwmbran, was open and operating on January 16.
Officers visited the salon and saw people entering through the front door. The force said those inside did not respond to police requests to open the door.
When the officers managed to get inside the property, they found evidence which showed tanning beds had recently been used and beauty treatments were taking place.
CCTV footage shows eight people running from the beauty salon out of the fire exit in an attempt to evade the police officers.
One woman can be seen running out of the building with a plastic hair cutting apron around her neck and what looks like wet hair.
The salon owner was handed a £1,000 fixed penalty notice for failure to close their business. Under the current Welsh Government regulations service premises such as beauty salons are not allowed to be open in Alert Level 4 areas of the country.
Three customers also received fixed penalty notices for attending the salon and enquiries are ongoing to identify the other customers.
Euphoria Tanning Hair and Beauty salon had already been served with a fixed penalty notice in June last year.
“This is very disappointing,” said councillor Mandy Owen, executive member for the environment at Torfaen County Borough Council.
“It’s clear from the camera footage obtained following the latest visit that the business and customers were aware they were breaking lockdown restrictions putting themselves, others and the NHS at risk.
“Covid is still circulating in the borough and everyone knows it thrives on close contact, so it was highly irresponsible of the business owner and customers to continue visiting the salon.”
Torfaen Inspector Aled George condemned the “blatant breach” of Covid-19 regulations.
“Businesses who flout the regulations are behaving irresponsibly and putting the lives of their customers, staff and the wider community at risk,” he said.
“As this incident shows, we – together with our partners from Torfaen Council – will take action to keep the public safe. We will continue to take enforcement action against businesses and the public who breach Covid regulations.”
“We understand this is a really difficult time for our communities, the majority of businesses and residents, are doing the right thing by adhering to Welsh Government regulations and we would like to thank them for their support.
"Coronavirus levels remain high across much of Gwent, and by following Welsh Government regulations we’re all saving lives and protecting the NHS.”
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