Did 'drag queen' fight night footage kick city where it hurts?
IT was not the image of Swansea that tourism chiefs would have wanted beamed around the world, but two Swansea cage fighters became global stars and the story captured the interest of newspapers and programmes from as far away as America and Australia.
Many were amused by the CCTV footage, which also included a brief cameo by a late-night reveller dressed as Spiderman, but it has painted a poor picture of the City by the Sea.
Watch the cross-dressing CCTV incident below
Over the next week, the Evening Post will be speaking to those on the late-night frontline in Swansea to find out what really goes on.
Few are more exposed to late night party animals than taxi drivers who often have to single-handedly deal with drunk and disorderly passengers.
Swansea taxi driver Ian Palmer often works the late shifts on a weekend.
He has a wealth of experience and takes his job very seriously, but he knows his limits.
"The trouble is, once they are in my taxi, they are my responsibility," the 48-year-old said. "I've got a lot of experience, so I know now if I see a big group of drunk lads, I won't take them — we can refuse passengers and I know what to look for.
"I am wary, but dealing with them is part of the job."
When questioned whether Swansea's notorious reputation as a rough place to go at night he said "yes and no". Despite Swansea's rocky reputation, Mr Palmer said he hadn't been confronted by any truly tricky, drunken customers in the past nine years — perhaps longer.
Mr Palmer was also full of praise for Swansea's taxi rank marshals who have been manning late-night taxi queues since 2005.
Last year, following the opening of super club, Oceana, on The Kingsway, Swansea Business Improvement District funded two more marshals to keep revellers in line.
"They really are on the frontline," Mr Palmer added. "They deal with drunk people face-to-face. They have made a big difference to us taxi drivers.
"It's in the taxi queues the trouble can really start, especially when people try to push in."
Mr Palmer also said that some nights were worse to work than others.
"The worst nights of the year, I think, are the Sunday bank holiday — they are particularly bad.
Watch our interview with the cage fighters below
"On Black Friday, most people are fairly respectful — nine times out of 10 they're fine — it's just very busy.
"Of course, most people are fine. It's just a small group that gives a bad impression.
"People do ask me a lot, 'how can you do it?'.
"Nobody likes to work nights, but I enjoy my job and it's never been so bad that I've wanted to quit."
In Norwich, the police are trialling a new taxi scheme which would see drunken party-goers getting free lifts home in a bid to reduce crime.
A large number of anti-social incidents in the town happen after pub closing times, so the scheme would offer free pre-paid taxis on Fridays and Saturdays to take people short distances home.
However, Mr Palmer, who has been a cab driver for the past 20 years, said he doubts about the plans.
"I don't think it's a good idea," he added. "People would take advantage of the scheme, and who's to say we would actually get our money."
TOMORROW: A first time view of Swansea's night life.
Kingsway drag cage fighters duo receive threats
Off to the USA for cross-dressing cage fighters
'Drag queens' tell of felling thugs in Swansea city centre punch-up
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by stu, swansea
Tuesday, October 13 2009, 11:53AM
“You can't fill a street with pubs which are also essentially nightclubs, get every nutjob, roider and chav to fill it every weekend and then complain when you get trouble.
A few yrs ago swansea was on the news because a field hospital was set up in Castle Sq at Xmas. Surely that created a worse impression than this? they are complaining that people know about what goes on here rather than the fact that Wind St is a no go area for decent people who want a night out without chavs and groups of roid raging 'hardmen' ruining it.”
by Steve, Mayals, Swansea
Monday, October 12 2009, 5:36PM
“All these initiatives, such as those in Norwich, are fine as short term solutions, but we really need to research why our society has become so aggressive and our youth prone to anti-social behaviour. Only then can we treat the situation effectively. I have visited many mega cities in the Far East, such as Taipei and Tokyo, and never felt threatened at any time in or in any district. Yet, even small towns in the UK have a threatening environment at night. ASBOS and the like are mere cosmetic responses, which are no more effective than sticking a band aid or a cancerous wound. We should remember that babies are not born with more propensities to become alcoholics or exhibit anti-social behaviour now than thirty years ago. Basically, it is the dynamics of society that have changed, and this needs to be the focus of reform. In the past, families offered practical life-style guidance. However, as so many families are dysfunctional these days, perhaps now is the time that schools took over the role. As any psychologist will agree, whatever we do starts with a thought in the mind. Therefore, if kids have a positive and open outlook on the world, then their action will express this. On the other hand, if a kid is racked with anger and disillusionment, then it will be impossible for him or her to be a constructive member of society. In short, yes, measures such as free taxi services are helpful, but in the final analysis they can be no more than a stop gap answer. Ultimately, we must address to the root of the problem.”
by jimmy, swansea
Monday, October 12 2009, 2:01PM
“Perhaps this will bring home to tourism chiefs what needs to be done. Im glad this has been highlighted. This sort of thing happens nightly. The police need to be issuing more on the spot fines for drunk and disorderly and breach of the peace. They need to have a zero tolerance on this sort of behaviour. On the odd occasion I venture down wine street you are confronted by hoards of drunken rowdy men and women and the odd one or two randoms who will just punch anybody. Cafe quarter?”
by anon, swansea
Monday, October 12 2009, 12:35PM
“what about the constant problem of beggars in swansea city centre.
i was in town saturday night and there was a couple walking around princess way and wind st all night begging and hassling people for 40p for bus fare. where are the police, city centre rangers or cctv picking these beggars out.”
by Jim, Cardiff, ex Bristol
Monday, October 12 2009, 12:10PM
“Nights out in city centres aren't by definition jolly strolls in the park.
Swansea can be rough, as can everywhere else.
Swansea is a bit smaller than some places, and so neighbourly/family/sporting rivalries may be exacted on Wind Street, but the few times I've been there, Swansea has been great fun, and I've seen no trouble whatsoever.
In my experience Bristol is a far rougher night out than Swansea, so things should be kept in perspective.”