Police are patrolling riverside paths in Wales’ capital, after attacks by youths in balaclavas, including an attempted assault on plain-clothed officers.

Pedestrians and cyclists have been targeted on the Taff Trail in Hailey Park, Gabalfa, and Llandaff.

Concerned parents said their children have been attacked while riding bikes on the trail since June.

South Wales Police has increased patrols on its section of the Taff Trail that runs for 55 miles (88.5km) from Brecon in Powys to Cardiff.

While the force did not have statistics for crimes on the Taff Trail for June, boys aged 13 and 11 were arrested earlier this month.

According to South Wales Police’s crime map, external, the area of Llandaff North received 34 reports of anti-social behaviour in June.

Riverside, another area the Taff Trail runs through, had 18 reports, and Gabalfa had eight.

Speaking at a cyclist safety meeting on 28 July, Insp Tim Ursell said a youth was arrested on the Taff Trail a couple of weeks ago after jumping out “on two of my plain-clothed officers” and was “fully prepared to assault them”.

The force confirmed officers received a 999 call reporting an attempted robbery at 15.45 BST on 23 July near Sophia Gardens.

A 13-year-old from Old St Mellons, was arrested, and following a plain clothes patrol, a second boy, 11, from Penylan, was also arrested.

Both have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

The force identified the Taff Trail along with Bute Park as areas experiencing a higher level of youth anti-social behaviours.

Kirsten Price, 36, from Whitchurch, said her 12-year-old son was attacked by a large group of youths, some wearing face coverings, while out on his bike near Blackweir in Cardiff on 25 July.

She said he got kicked off it before the group turned on his friend, “grabbing at his collar of his top and pushing him around”.

The furious mum said the situation got “frightening” and her son had a “tug-of-war” with the youths to get his bike back.

He then rode off to find adults further up the Taff Trail for help, who took them to his friend’s house.

“It’s the first time anything like this has ever happened,” Kirsten said.

Her son didn’t sustain any physical injuries but he hasn’t been out on his bike since, she said.

Kirsten added: “I know there’s quite a lot of instances where it’s just not younger people who are attacked – it’s people of all ages.”

She worries the behaviour of these youths, who she believes are aged 12 to 16, might “escalate” and could see them one day carrying knives.

Kirsten added “it needs to be nipped in the bud”.

Rhys Holmes, 36, was followed by someone wearing a balaclava.

The avid cyclist who has superficial siderosis, external – a rare, progressive neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord – found the experience “quite intimidating, particularly as it was half nine in the morning and you wouldn’t expect it”.

Since his diagnosis, Holmes has had to relearn how to walk, is profoundly deaf and has a cochlear implant.

He uses the Taff Trail to cycle to Pedal Power, an inclusive cycling charity, which he said has been “the best form of mental and physical wellbeing therapy”.

“As cycling has given me a sense of independence again, having to worry about all this is quite worrying in the least,” he added.

“I do know people feel intimidated by balaclava-wearing illegal e-bike riders. I know of someone who was attacked on the Taff trail, but it was a bunch of youths.

“This was only a few weeks ago, and of course they were very shaken up.”

Another cyclist said he had been assaulted three times by youths.

However, he has noticed an improvement with the rise in patrols.

A mum-of-two from Llandaff North said her 13-year-old son was attacked near Llandaff Rowing Club while out on his push bike around 16:00 BST in mid-June.

The 46-year-old, who wished not to be named, said her son was riding ahead of a friend when a group of youths, who they believe were around 12 and not wearing face coverings, “kicked the bike from underneath his friend”.

“The wheel was kicked off so they weren’t really attempting to take the bike,” she said.

Her son then got punched in the face by one of the boys, and he tried to defend himself by hitting him back.

A couple who saw the incident went to help them and waited with the two boys until the mother arrived.

While the whole family were “shaken and upset for the boys” she has become angry after hearing that this was “not an isolated event”.

“We are aware of the on-going concerns in the area following an increase in reports, and we have increased the our policing response as a result,” said Insp Ursell.

“This includes both high visibility reassurance patrols ensuring the area remains safe, alongside plain clothed patrols and the use of other specialist resources.

“This will continue throughout summer.”

Cardiff Council said it supports police operations in tackling “anti-social and criminal behaviour”, and since August last year, 831 illegal bikes have been taken off the road and crushed.

A spokesperson added: “Plans are being made to increase the frequency and visibility of patrols by park rangers in areas of the Taff Trail affected by these incidents.”