Minutes:
Superintendent Mike Richards gave a brief update on activity across three policing sectors within Newport.
Some general updates, included Superintendent Mike Roberts welcoming 19 Community Safety Wardens to Newport East, many of those have started and were out and about on independent control.
On a similar theme, the police force was advertising for local constables, which meant that this financial year would see the recruitment of 62 new officers. Finally there would also be a new intake of special constables joining the Police in October who would be patrolling the streets after Christmas.
There was a new inspector for Newport East, Martin Cawley, who would be addressing the issue of boy racers particularly around Spytty Retail Park. Inspector Cawley had been overseeing a lot of enforcement activity and over two weekends in July and August over 300 speeding fines were handed out to drivers across Wales and beyond.
Tesco Stores in Spytty would be installing ANPR cameras which would restrict the amount of time that cars spent in the premises out of hours.
In addition, there had been reports of drug dealing in Black Ash Park and Pont Faen, search warrants executed and patrols increased in those areas. This was also taking place in St Julians and the Old Barn Estate where arrests been made, with close partnership work with Newport Live around Youth Service Provision and diversionary activities. Newport Live was thanked for their support.
In relation to Alway and Ringland there had been a reduction in calls following diversionary work within those wards. An investment was also made in a Mobile Police Station, where Play Station consoles had been installed for the youth in that area and there had been some positive results from this. There was an increase in theft of motor vehicles and burning out of motor cycles within Ringland, which was being treated as a priority.
Issues within Newport West were being overseen by Inspector Griffiths. In Maesglas, there were issues of anti-social behaviour and drug use. Police patrols had been put in place and there had been several arrests for drug offences. There will be a walkabout in this area.
With regards to the Frances Drive area of Pill, there was positive feedback in reduction of anti-social behaviour over the summer which was good news.
There was a successful execution of a search warrant in Pill on 1 August along with a Multi-Agency Action Day planned for later in the month.
There was a three-day operation in Bettws recently, targeting anti-social issues, drug related issues and use of vehicles and an arrest was made for possession with intent to supply.
Finally, in relation to Newport Central, which was overseen by Inspector Nigel Lewis, St Pauls Walk, which continued to be a crime hot spot had been targeted by the Police. The Superintendent had been updated by the neighbourhood sergeant that there had been a reduction in calls over the past four to six weeks.
Neighbourhood policing team in the city centre recently met up with the Council regarding
issues of taxi congestion and anti-social behaviour caused by large gatherings in the city centre on weekends or late in the night and allocated waiting areas have agreed and enforced.
There would be a targeted operation and in the city centre relating to bicycle theft as there have been a number of incidents reported.
Questions from Councillors:
Cllr A Morris passed on his thanks to Inspector Cawley for the update. Calls from the Pontfaen did not appear to corroborate with police calls, as many residents would not use the 101 contact number as they felt there was a cost. Could the police confirm how much these calls would cost residents. In the meantime, Councillor Mogford had searched online and informed councillors that 101 calls were 15p per call on landline and mobile.
In relation the Old Barn Estate, Cllr Hourahine asked for an update on Operation Harvey and advised that off road biking and non-registered bikes seemed to be on the increase in Glebelands and Durham Road. This would be looked into, as it was a priority for the three sectors across Newport.
Councillor Jeavons advised Superintendent Richards that there had been a spate of fires within the Lliswerry Ward. This would be looked into and reported back.
Cllr J Watkins referred to View Point, in Christchurch, where there were serious concerns by residents. Apparently a decision was made to close the gates at 10pm at night, as there was an incident involving a ranger. In the meantime, that decision was revoked. Cllr Watkins had contacted Inspector Cawley, however, he was not aware of the revocation of the decision. Residents were subjected to groups congregating and motorbikes circling, there was also drug activity in night carrying through the morning. The noise could be heard from over a mile away. Superintendent Richards had not been briefed on this matter but informed the Councillor that Inspector Cawley was aware. The Police would welcome and encourage residents to report these incidents.
Councillor Fouweather requested additional police and special officers to be allocated rto the Allt-yr-yn ward as they were a valuable asset. This would be look into by the Superintendent.
Cllr J Hughes mentioned that over the weekend residents had found a lot of laughing gas cannisters and requested that officers increased their patrols in the area. Superintendent Richards agreed to this.
Councillor Forsey thanked officers for attending the Rogerstone festival. Officers were busy meeting with residents and enjoyed the community support. Superintendent Richards would feed this back to the officers.
Councillor Al-Nuaimi thanked the Police for their work in the City Centre. There was an improvement York Place with the recently appointed Civil Parking Enforcement officers, however, it presented an opportunity for dealers to use the empty spaces, councillor witnessed this on one occasion. Superintendent Richards would look.
Councillor Suller asked if there was any information on ‘boy racers’ in the Marshfield ward, near Blacksmith Way. In additional were gas cylinders regulated.
Superintendent Richard would look into the first query. With reference to gas cylinders, a shop in the Caerphilly area was taken to court by local authority.
Councillor H Thomas observed that the drug activity within Newport had increased, referring to an Armed Police raid in Hoskins Street and asked was insufficient resources a concern. Superintendent Richards mentioned that Newport was a cheap place to buy drugs, hence the increase of incidents. However drug related crime would always be a priority. Fortunately, there was not the serious issues of County Lines drug dealing.
Councillor S Marshall referred to Cyber crime and telephone scams. There was an HMRC scam which led to arrests , however vulnerable residents thought these kind of cold calls were real. This was this being addressed and with the investment in Community Support officers it was hoped to raise awareness of the problem. These officers would do the best they could.
Councillor R Hayat asked was Gwent Police offering internships or other recruitment. There were open events, however there was nothing in place with regard to internships.