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.
When the Superintendent had addressed Council, the Presiding Member invited the Leader to address Superintendent White.
The Leader thanked Supt White for his continued work in his role and thanked the team that protected residents across the city.
The Leader referred to an email from a resident who felt that the city centre was not a priority for the police and asked if Supt White could offer some assurance to residents on this matter.
Supt White advised that there was increased officer foot fall from 5pm to 10pm as well as dedicated night shift officers working in the city centre. Police officers also provided further additional police presence if they were called there to support the arrest of individuals.
Questions to the Police raised by Councillors:
§ Councillor Morris referred to ‘boy racers’ in the West of Newport causing issues on a Sunday night in particular Supt White advised that Inspector Rowlands had found that early engagement with these drivers was a worthwhile deterrent against speeding. More could also be done with partner agencies in terms of approach which the police were looking to address.
§ Councillor Fouweather had been approached by residents regarding their former beat officer J Harris who walked the streets in Allt-yr-yn regularly. Could residents have that presence back, or a special constable in place? Supt White agreed in principle, but unfortunately policing teams did not have the numbers of staff required to fulfil all requests and therefore had to go where required. Neighbourhood policing teams were carrying out more engagement instead. There had also been staff cuts with Community Safety Officers (CSOs), therefore the Police were looking at where CSOs and officers were most needed.
§ Councillor Adan also mentioned that Pill was in need of officers ‘on the beat’, particularly on Commercial Road and Dolphin Street due to community safety issues. Feedback Councillor Adan had received from traders in the areas was also quite concerning. In light of this, Councillor Adan asked what proactive measures the police were intending to take. Supt White confirmed that the Pill police team was taking proactive measures and were working in partnership with Trading Standards. Operation Firecrest had been in place to address the selling of counterfeit tobacco. This was carried out over six-month period resulting in warrants issued and the seizure of £1.6 M counterfeit tobacco. These efforts were commended by UK Trading Standards, as one of highest seizure records. Stop searches and intelligence logs were also in place. With more CSOs in Pill and Maindee, the police were seeing the benefits of their work.
§ Councillor Corten mentioned that the Ringland redevelopment work was attracting anti-social behaviour and was concerned that children playing on the building site could hurt themselves. Supt White confirmed he would speak to the Ward Inspector and in the meantime, would obtain further details from Councillor Corten outside of the meeting.
§ Councillor Hourahine thanked Supt White for the additional policing around the Neon building, Victoria, and St Julians Wards. Money had been provided to the police from the Home Office in order to address low level crimes, so with this in mind, Councillor Hourahine asked if there were any plans to extend this further. Supt White advised that this would not be extended but there would be a review by the Home Office, which might lead to a continuation, although at this point it was too early to say.
§ Councillor Cocks referred to access points/slip roads near the Celtic Manor which was a source of complaints by residents because of the ‘boy racers’ in the area, as well as driving up and down Broadmoor Road. Councillor Cocks stated that there were four accidents in 2023 and one other accident this year in these areas, and speed bumps had been removed from Bulmore Road. Supt White said that he would speak to Go Safe regarding an assessment.
§ Councillor Marshall thanked Supt white for the work around Maesglas tackling anti-social behaviour and asked for increased patrols as there were youths causing issues near the local shops. Supt White confirmed that he would raise this with his colleague.
§ The Presiding Member added that monthly meetings in the Shaftesbury Ward were invaluable, partly due to the intelligence residents shared with police in these meetings.
§ Councillor Thomas wished to congratulate the former city centre Police Inspector Richard Shapland on their retirement. Councillor Thomas considered that they had been very helpful and informative to the ward members and residents over the 12 months where he had been in post.