A teenager carrying a knife was stopped by police during a major undercover operation at Rhayader Carnival.

The 16-year-old was found with a lock knife, balaclava and cannabis after being spotted by plain-clothed officers on Saturday, July 19. He remains under investigation.

The stop came as part of Dyfed-Powys Police’s first Project Vigilant operation in Powys – a proactive policing scheme aimed at preventing sexual and violent offences, which was launched at the carnival to keep attendees safe.

The force said specially trained officers from across the region – including Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Breconshire, Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire – joined the operation. They patrolled the town in both plain clothes and uniform, targeting secluded areas such as parks, alleyways and riverbanks.

Seven other under-18s were also found in possession of cannabis, and underage alcohol was seized throughout the evening.

Officers offered safeguarding advice to lone women and small groups and helped several vulnerable individuals – including intoxicated women – reach safe places. A young child found alone was also returned to their parents.

Superintendent Chris Neve, force lead for prevention, said: “This was the first time we have held a Project Vigilant operation in Powys, and it was a great preventative success.

“The aim of Vigilant is to ensure the safety of people primarily on a night out, and to prevent sexual or serious offences from taking place. In this case we were looking out for all those attending Rhayader carnival, which is a busy day and evening, and our aim was to make sure everyone could enjoy safely.

“Prevention is a hugely important part of policing, and by working in teams of officers who look out for and disrupt potential criminal behaviour we can really make a difference in stopping potential offences before they happen.”