Positive action and engagement work from North Wales Police is having a positive effect on reducing crime and antisocial behaviour (ASB) as part of its ‘Renew Bangor’ initiative. That’s the message shared with North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin during a visit he made to Bangor with the local neighbourhood policing team on 24 June. This encouraging news comes during ASB Awareness Week across the country, and as part of the Government’s Safer Streets Summer Initiative campaign and Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, where extra funding has been allocated to fight crime in key centres across North Wales during the busy summer months.
The Safer Streets Summer Initiative is being led by Police and Crime Commissioners, supported by the Home Office, in partnership with Chief Constables and other essential local partners such as councils, schools, health services, business, transport and community organisations. Forces will be harnessing £66m in hotspot policing funding this financial year, and building on existing powers and initiatives, to ensure local needs and concerns are addressed. Through the UK Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, and commitment to place 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables into neighbourhood policing roles, they aim to turn the tide on crime and bring back visible, community-led policing.
Renew Bangor launched in March this year as a multi-agency approach to tackling serious and organised crime in Bangor. It is the latest such initiative in North Wales and launched following the success of a project in Rhyl last year which saw a 14% drop in recorded crime.
As part of Renew Bangor, a dedicated team of officers visibly patrol the High Street and areas of reported concern, as well as engaging with local businesses about issues they face in the city. Partners are working together to tackle key issues identified by the local community including drug supply, graffiti, anti-social behaviour, street drinking and sexual violence.
The partnership sees a combination of targeted high-visibility police operations and covert policing tactics alongside activity and support from partners, and input from residents to protect communities and prevent organised crime groups from operating.
As well as North Wales Police, other partners involved in Renew Bangor include: North Wales Police, Cyngor Gwynedd’s Licensing, Trading Standards, Children’s, and Homeless Services, North Wales Fire and Rescue, housing associations, BCUHB Substance Misuse, Wales Probation Service, and local businesses, community groups and residents of Bangor.
During the visit, the Commissioner met North Wales Police Gwynedd and Anglesey Superintendent, Arwel Hughes; Area Inspector, Kate Williams; and Clear, Hold, Build Sergeant, Liam Carr. The group walked through the city’s High Street, the Hirael neighbourhood and Bangor University’s new Parc y Coleg green space which opened this month.
The PCC heard how a number of arrests have been made as part of Renew Bangor and the team have focused their efforts on increasing visibility on the High Street, Hirael and Maesgeirchen, as well as conducting several drugs warrants in the area.
Since the beginning of March, 70 people have been arrested in connection with offences, including drug supply, drug driving, violent behaviour, money laundering, theft, and being wanted on warrant.
The team have also conducted 175 proactive stop searches which resulted in 81 positive results.
13 warrants have been executed, 13 multiagency operations conducted and 3 closure orders granted. Over £160,000 of Class A and B drugs have been seized.
ASB incidents have been reduced by 7.8% and knife crime reduced by an impressive 50%. Suspects charged or given out of court disposals for shoplifting have increased by Increase by 22.3%.
In April Joint visits were conducted at 10 businesses in the city centre, where Police worked with colleagues from immigration enforcement, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Cyngor Gwynedd Trading Standards and Housing Enforcement Officers to engage with businesses about the initiative and checked that legitimate practices were being adhered to. The operation resulted in two premises being served with eviction notices due to breach of residency conditions and breach of fire regulations.
A number of volunteer Police Cadets have also been commended for their work as part of ongoing multi-agency initiative Renew Bangor and have supported Police by delivering leaflets about Renew Bangor to properties in the city and to raise awareness of the ongoing work to tackle serious and organised crime in the area.
Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, commented: “Bangor is a vibrant city with so much to offer. It has outstanding educational and health facilities and a beautiful location between the mountains and the sea. However, in recent years the city has faced difficulties, in line with the wider economic struggles across the country.
“With this in mind, it’s vital that different agencies work together with the people of Bangor to help turn around the fortunes of the city, both economic and social. Initiatives like Renew Bangor are vital in achieving this, and I was delighted to visit and hear of the success of the programme so far.
“The very encouraging results speak for themselves, with a reduction in ASB and knife crime and an increase in suspects being charged or given an out of court disposal across areas such as shoplifting, violence and knife possession. Police officers and staff should be commended for their efforts. I also welcome that this positive news coming during ASB Awareness Week and on the back of the strong and much needed support and investment we have seen from the UK Government as part of its Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.”
“All of this reflects the priorities within my Police and Crime Plan for North Wales of a local neighbourhood policing presence, supporting victims, communities and businesses, and a fair and effective criminal justice system.
District Inspector Kate Williams said: “We’re really pleased with the overwhelming support that Renew Bangor has received from both partners and residents of the city.
“Since March, the team have worked hard to target the issues that cause the most concern within the city, including violence, drug supply, anti-social behaviour, and shoplifting.
“We are pleased to report that this work has resulted in 7.8% decrease in reported incidents of anti-social behaviour and a 50% decrease in reports of knife crime.
“Positive outcomes have also increased overall by 5.6% which again demonstrates our commitment to holding to account those who seek to cause harm in the city.
“The community is at the heart of this project, and the team and I have had positive feedback from residents around feeling safe and reassured by the work ongoing on the High Street, Maesgeirchen and Hirael areas.
“Renew Bangor is ongoing, and we will continue to work closely with several partners to make Bangor a safe place to live, work and visit as we move into the next phase of the project.”
To find out more about Renew Bangor and how to report a crime, visit North Wales Police’s website: www.heddlugogleddcymru.police.uk