North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Wayne Jones visited Pwllheli on June 30 at the launch of the UK Government’s Safer Streets Summer Initiative.
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.
This news also comes on the back of the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, where extra funding has been allocated to fight crime in key centres across North Wales during the busy summer months.
Through the 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.
The community of Pwllheli has benefited from dedicated neighbourhood policing efforts over the past year, with officers maintaining a visible street presence to provide reassurance and enable early intervention. The local Neighbourhood Policing Team has been working collaboratively to address persistent offenders, using powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act to issue Community Protection Warning Notices and establishing effective partnerships with housing providers and other agencies.
In partnership with the Community Safety Partnership, Pwllheli is currently subject to a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which has contributed to a notable decline in antisocial incidents in the area. PSPOs are legal powers that enable local authorities to address specific antisocial behaviour issues in designated public areas, helping to ensure these spaces remain safe and accessible for the wider community
During the visit, Mr Dunbobbin and Mr Jones met with North Wales Police Area Inspector Iwan Jones and Police Constable Gwion Morris and toured key areas of concern in Pwllheli, including the Public Spaces Protection Order area, locations near B&M and Home Bargains where youth-related incidents have occurred frequently, local parks, and housing estates. The tour also included visits to residential flats where new CCTV systems have been installed through the Shared Prosperity Fund.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin said: "The launch of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative and Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee provide an important opportunity to highlight the real impact that antisocial behaviour has on our communities, affecting people's quality of life and sense of safety, as well as the strong and much needed support and investment we are getting from the UK Government.
“My visit to Pwllheli during this national campaign demonstrates my commitment to working with local officers and community partners to address these challenges head-on. It's encouraging to see the proactive approach being taken here, from the visible police presence to the partnership working and use of available powers to tackle persistent offenders. I look forward to this continuing in the future.
“All of this as well 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.
North Wales Police Area Inspector Iwan Jones said: "We've worked to maintain a visible presence on the streets of Pwllheli, and this visibility is crucial for both community reassurance and action against those who disrupt others' safety.
“We've already seen encouraging signs with a decline in antisocial incidents through our Public Spaces Protection Order and officers in the area will continue taking robust action against antisocial behaviour to ensure Pwllheli remains safe and welcoming for everyone."
North Wales Police and Crime Panel Antisocial Behaviour Champions Alan Hunter and Gareth Cowell said: "Antisocial behaviour has a devastating impact on communities, making people feel unsafe in their own neighbourhoods and preventing them from enjoying public spaces.
“It's vital that we continue to work together to tackle these issues at their root cause, while ensuring victims receive the support they need and perpetrators face appropriate consequences for their actions."