A visitor at a sea zoo is claimed to have launched a shocking attack on workers – threatening to assault a female staff member and to burn down the attraction.
Staff claimed the man repeatedly punched a wall, abused workers with horrific terms, and threatened to “lamp” one woman as well as making the arson threat.
Police were called by Anglesey Sea Zoo during the “frightening” incident on Saturday afternoon and officers are now investigating.
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The owner of the Sea Zoo wants the man – who was 6ft with tattoos and a strong Liverpool accent – tracked down by police amid fears other staff at North Wales tourism businesses could be targeted by him while he’s on holiday there.
Owner Frankie Hobro said the incident escalated after he made a complaint about safety at the site after completing a tour.
Frankie Hobro from Anglesey Zoo
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
She claimed this was the fourth incident in recent weeks where staff had been abused but this was the first time it had a reached a stage where they had felt forced to call the police.
The confrontation was only diffused when a male member of staff became involved and the man was informed he had been reported to police for his alleged behaviour.
Ms Hobro, who had been off-site when the incident happened, said the complaint arose over allegations the man’s daughter had been in potential danger as some areas of the site were not blocked off. She said that while there was work being carried out at the site at this time, there were clear signs and ropes to ensure people stayed safe.
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She said a staff member – a woman in her 20s – came to speak to the man.
“He was incredibly aggressive and threatening towards her despite the fact she offered him a refund,” claimed Ms Hobro.
“He was f-ing and blinding and at one point called her a ‘barren b****’. There were customers having to take their children away because it was so unpleasant.”
She claimed he had said, “I’ll lamp you and burn this place down” at one point and the staff member retreated to the office to call the police and give the refund. She claimed he then followed her in.
The man – who they thought was in his 20s or early 30s – was then claimed to have punched the wall outside the admission desk several times and forced his way behind the desk – where a teenage girl was working. She was left terrified. He was then claimed to have left the desk and a male member of staff came to speak to him outside. After initially allegedly squaring up to the staff member he left the site.
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Ms Hobro claimed: “This was really upsetting and unnecessary and very frightening for staff. Why be so horrible? The man was clearly in the area on holiday and my worry is that he could repeat this behaviour somewhere else.
“I have flagged the incident with other attractions and tourism groups as well as staff giving statements to police. The police have been brilliant and have really taken this very seriously. The police have reiterated that in situations like this they encourage people to call them, either staff, business owners or the public to call them as they take such incidents extremely seriously.”
She claimed: “We have never had something like this, this person was clearly out to make trouble. This is though the fourth incident in recent weeks where our staff have been subjected to an unreasonable level of verbal abuse by visiting members of the public, although this is the first incident which is serious enough to be reported to the police, as we fear that the individual concerned is currently visiting the area and is capable of inflicting real harm.
“We have witnessed and heard of an unprecedented number of similar incidents towards staff in the tourism and hospitality sector and retail sector this season and we are once again appealing for visitors to North Wales to acknowledge that we have different Covid rules here in Wales which we expect our customers to follow without staff intervention, and to show respect and kindness to our staff and other visitors whilst on our premises.
“We respectfully remind everyone that abusive or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated for any reason, and that we reserve the right to ask anyone exhibiting unreasonable behaviour to leave the premises, or to call the police to have them removed.
“We ask people ‘be nice – everybody is doing their best’. It has been a difficult time for everyone.”
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