Six arrested at Occupy protest

Police made six arrests after an Occupy Cardiff protest was broken up.

South Wales Police said the arrests were for the offence "of failing to adhere to a direction to leave land" when ordered to do so.

Around 30 protesters had set up tents outside Cardiff Castle yesterday afternoon.

The demonstration was part of a global movement against banking and big business.

The group had earlier met in the city centre before crossing the road and pitching their tents outside the castle.

South Wales Police and Cardiff Council told them to move as they were breaking an 1875 by-law, leading to a stand-off.

Up to 100 people were involved at one stage but numbers dwindled as the weather deteriorated.

Cardiff Council had expressed fears about damage to the castle grounds.

After being moved on from the castle, there were reports on social networking sites that some protesters were considering moving to a new location but police said they were not aware of any other protests.

Earlier, a leaflet was handed out to shoppers calling for a new type of economy.

It read: "This historic and unprecedented uprising and resistance to the inequality of our social system is nothing less than a lifeline for humanity.

"The monetary market system itself must be replaced with a resource-based economic model where everyone's needs are provided for free."

A meeting under the Aneurin Bevan statue in Queen Street then took place before the group moved towards the castle nearby.

Representatives of the Welsh Language Society, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, were also present with a large banner.

The group recently encouraged its members to stop paying their TV licences in protest to funding cuts imposed on Welsh language TV station S4C.

Policing the protest at the castle was described as "low key" with around a dozen uniformed officers. A mobile command vehicle was also seen in Castle Street.

However, as darkness fell and the rain got heavier, the number of protesters dropped to around 60 and then to 30.

The gathering comes following anti-capitalist demonstrations in London, which has seen people camping outside St Paul's Cathedral since October 15.

Similar camps have also been set up elsewhere in the UK as part of the Occupy movement, which has spread from New York since September.

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: "Following the conclusion of the Occupy Cardiff protest, six people have been arrested.

"This was for the offence of failing to adhere to a direction to leave land when ordered to do so, contrary to Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994." PA