A MAN has been arrested after a council officer was racially abused after issuing a parking ticket at Gwynedd beauty spot.

North Wales Police said it was "saddened" to receive the report from Gwynedd Council that one of its enforcement officers was the subject of "racially aggravated remarks" while working in the Llanberis area.

The officer issued a ticket on a car who is said to have parked irresponsibly. A few hours later the owner of the car found her and confronted her. 

Sergeant Arwel Hughes said: “Behaviour such as this is completely unnecessary and unacceptable. We deal with all accusations of abuse and public order very seriously. It will not be tolerated, and police are working with Gwynedd Council to investigate.

“It costs nothing to be kind. I urge members of the public, whether they be local or visiting from another area, to be considerate and respectful of everyone who is working extremely hard to provide a service that enables you to enjoy yourself”.

Dafydd Wyn Williams, Gwynedd Council’s head of environment said: “Our staff work extremely hard to keep Gwynedd’s communities safe for everyone, and we are grateful to the vast majority of people who treat them with the respect they deserve as public servants.

“Whilst instances of abuse are not common, such behaviour is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We urge members of the public to be kind so that we can all enjoy Gwynedd’s fantastic communities safely.”

Officers arrested a local man in connection with this incident who has since been bailed with conditions not to approach the victim and not to enter the village of Llanberis. The case will now be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service.