Revellers enjoy a concert in the 'young people's village'
Alarm is growing among police at the "binge drinking culture" among young people at the Royal Welsh Show.
Dyfed-Powys Police Inspector Geraint Rees described the young people's "village" at the show as "Ibiza without the sand or sea".

Police want to meet show organisers, licensees and others to crack down, although they say those who drink too much are in the minority.

But the Young Farmers' Clubs in Wales said they worked closely with the authorities to make the event safe.

We are concerned about the high volume of alcohol served and drunk during the Royal Welsh Show

Inspector Geraint Rees
The show attracts many thousands every year to its mid Wales home of Llanelwedd, and some 12,000 have visited the young people's village in its four days.

But Insp Rees said police wanted licensees to "market themselves differently so young people were not wholly dependent on alcohol".

"This would need the co-operation of other groups such as the show's officials, but we feel that a new emphasis is needed," he said.

Inspector Geraint Rees wants licensees to change their marketing

Insp Rees, who leads a team of officers policing the showground, added: "I don't want to blow this out of proportion because the people who binge drink are in a small minority.

"It's vital we keep things in perspective. However, we need to target all the bars on the showground and the young people's village in an attempt to change things for next year.

"I am going to arrange a meeting so this can be sorted out."

Drinkers
"I have described the young people's village in the past as Ibiza without the sand or sea".

There is also concern that some under-age have been served.

Lowri Jones, chief executive of Young Farmers' Clubs in Wales, said the young people's village was heavily marshalled by security personnel and police.

"The standards and the facilities at the young people's village are much higher than elsewhere at the show," she said.

"I think it's unfair to call it Ibiza because we work closely with police and the other emergency services to ensure there's a controlled and safe environment for the young people.

Farmers in one of the cattle sheds. catching up with friends after the show

"We advise our members about the dangers of drinking too much and also have a stand offering advice about things such as health and drinking."

Mrs Jones said 12,000 revellers had been through the gates of the young people's village over the four days of the show.

"There's no way we'd get a licence if things weren't done properly and we have concerts at the village and people can also buy soft drinks if they wish," she added.

"Unfortunately, we live in a society where drinking and the consequences of it are growing."

Showground St John's Ambulance staff nurse, Paula Boyce, said the voluntary service had treated 20 people between 2000 BST and 0800 BST on Wednesday and Thursday, and only one had not been drinking.

"We've seen an increase in drink-related injuries such as lacerations and fractures," she said.

"There's been a big increase in under-age drinking too. But once we've treated these people we just can't let them go, we have to make sure they are passed to a responsible person.

"We treat older people too in their 30s and 40s for injuries related to drink.

"Some patients can get aggressive too which causes some problems for us."

No one at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society was available for comment.

There have been 15 arrests at this year's show for theft and public order offences such as drunk and disorderly and assault.

"When you think of how many people attend the event, 15 arrests is nothing," Insp Rees said.

"The figure is below the show average of about 25 arrests so we're pleased."

Earlier this month, Dyfed-Powys Police chief constable Terry Grange accused the UK government of a "knee-jerk" response to binge drinking, while letting bars open 24 hours a day.

He said the government had to plan a long-term response to alcohol abuse.