30 minutes is allocated for questions to the Gwent Police representative.
Minutes:
The Presiding Member introduced Superintendent J White of Gwent Police, who provided Council Members with an update on police issues within East, West, and Central Newport including tackling organised crime, thefts in shops, and e-bikes.
The Presiding Member invited the Leader to address Superintendent White.
The Leader offered her thanks to Gwent Police on behalf of the Council regarding the collaboration shown in relation to a number of public protests recently. The Leader was pleased to see the police city centre team working with protestors and passed on her thanks.
The Leader asked for clarification on work being done to address knife crime in Gwent, following the recent publication of an article on this topic, and asked how councillors could support residents to access the facts regarding the work being done across the region. Superintendent White confirmed that Inspector Welti had been given the portfolio regarding public engagement and the Police were benchmarking other forces to understand the level of knife crime issues being experienced. Street surgeries were being conducted to support communications. Inspector White considered this visibility within the community combined with transparency and working alongside councillors and stakeholders to get the message out to the community as being the right way to take this forward. As Superintendent of Newport, positive news was something that would be pushed further as well as conveying positive news at Council.
The Leader also mentioned that there were still safety issues relating to Almond Drive that were reported at last Council and asked if this could be picked up outside the meeting with Superintendent White.
The Leader thanked Superintendent White and staff for their support following recent security incidents she had experienced.
Councillor Cockeram thanked Police for their work in Shaftesbury.
Questions to the Police raised by Councillors:
§ Councillor Mogford had read online that some children were going to school on e-scooters and there was a near miss relating to this. Councillor Mogford asked if the there was a police liaison with schools and if the police aware of this happening. Superintendent White advised that the police were committed to bridging the gap with funding police officers as school liaison until the end of the academic year. The police would also consider how to maintain the gap longer term. Chief Superintendent Carl Williams was leading this and there was currently engagement with school liaison officers as part of an All-Wales approach including tackling e-scooters and knife crime. Preventative work to make sure young people did not get involved in criminal activity is key and the Superintendent would update Council on this matter. Changes around the sale and management of e-scooters would also be required to tackle the issue, taking a preventative approach.
§ Councillor Batrouni commended police for their work concerning bikes. At a recent ward surgery with Maesglas and Gaer, residents had a fear of being hit by bikes. Councillor Batrouni asked if more could be done in relation to public engagement and building intelligence. The Superintendent agreed that engagement was important and took this on board.
§ Councillor Forsey referred to an incident that took place in Belle Vue Park on 22 January, where the park was cordoned off for some time. Councillor Forsey wanted to pay thanks to the park ranger, Rob Brown who came across someone who was seriously unwell, whilst locking up the park and stayed with the person for two hours until paramedics arrived. Councillor Forsey asked if there an update on the wellbeing of this person. The Superintendent was aware of this and mentioned that it was in relation to a medical episode and not anything criminal.
§ Councillor Fouweather had received a number of concerns from residents regarding males trying car doors and front doors in the early hours of the morning. Councillor Fouweather requested additional patrols to address this. The Superintendent assured Councillor Fouweather that this would be picked up. There was a sharp increase in this type of crime, but this was not unique to Newport, and was also happening in Cwmbran.
§ Councillor Whitehead referred to the escalation of bad behaviour in Ogmore Crescent, with a car having been set on fire. Councillor Whitehead asked for reassurance that this was on police’s radar. Superintendent White would contact Inspector Welti and added that the police were looking to reinvigorate community partnership task meetings. This was a weekly meeting in the fire station with partners such as the Council, South Wales Fire and Newport City Homes taking a collaborative approach to addressing community issues. If there were spikes in issues, then this would be picked up in the partnership meetings.
§ Councillor M Howells mentioned issues at Pontfaen shops as previously reported and whilst this had been addressed through engagement with officers, this may re-occur now that the evenings were getting lighter, and therefore asked how councillors could get ahead of this. Superintendent White mentioned that the council had recently employed Paul Davies, ex Chief Inspector, now working with the community safety team, as the Community Protection Manager was keen to improve collaborative approaches with wardens visiting the respective areas within Newport. Joint patrols would be undertaken including at Pontfaen Shops.
Councillor M Howells was also sorry to hear that the Leader had experienced a security incident and with the recent funding for raised security for MPs asked what could be done to provide further support for councillors working in the community. Regarding security for members, Superintendent White added that this needed to also be extended to community councillors who had the same issues. Superintendent White asked councillors to reach out and contact their local inspector and sergeant if there were any concerns. The Superintendent understood that councillors needed to be visible within the community for residents and if there were any issues, councillors must tell the police and they would receive the tailor-made advice and guidance they required.
§ Councillor Marshall mentioned bikes in the Maesglas area causing a nuisance and asked what could be done to address this. Councillor Marshall also mentioned motor vehicles in Maesglas retail park where drivers would perform car rallies, and asked if this could also be addressed. Finally, there were a group of young people that loitered around Lidl’s throwing items at people causing intimidation and Councillor Marshall had come under attack himself with people throwing stones at him. Superintendent White confirmed that addressing car meet ups has been very successful in other areas and the same tactics can be applied here. Mobile cameras and surveillance support can be provided to provide assurance for residents.
§ Councillor James passed on her thanks to the police on behalf of residents regarding Wheeler Street and residents were also meeting with police this evening. Councillor James also echoed comments about aggression in the community, and referred to an assault she experienced in October which had left her feeling unsafe working in the ward. The Superintendent was sorry to hear about the incident and assured her that measures would be put in place to support councillors.