Where you are, and when you want us

Published: Tuesday, 31 July 2012

Today sees the introduction of the next phase of Gwent Police's accessibility programme, which will help ensure that all communities have easier, more convenient access to police services

The introduction of a timetabled schedule for mobile police stations, to include Saturdays and Sundays, will ensure that policing will reach residents in whichever town, village or street they live in. Times and locations will be advertised on the Gwent Police website, Facebook, twitter as well as local posters and leaflets

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Prince is leading the implementation of the accessibility programme:

"We consulted with communities back in May and they told us they appreciate seeing officers out and about, and being able to contact them by mobile phone and via our mobile stations in areas close to home. We have scheduled in a wide range of locations which shows the force's commitment to taking police services to people, and not expecting them to have to come to police stations. We listened, and, from tomorrow, we will be regularly visiting no fewer than 235 places around Gwent, in addition to our normal patrols and response work,

For example today the mobile police stations will be visiting the following locations:

Caerphilly County Borough
Greenfield St, Elliotstown, Rhymney Valley from 10am until 1pm, then the Market Square and the bus station at Blackwood from 2pm until 4pm.

Monmouthshire
The car park at Gilwern, from 10am until 12pm, then Croesonen Park in Abergavenny from 2pm until 4pm, then to the Avenue, at Govilon, from 6pm until 8pm.

Newport
Llanmartin shops in Alway, Newport from 10am until 12pm, then Asda at Duffryn from 2pm until 4pm.

Blaenau Gwent
Our brightly coloured 'Info' car will be parked up at the Atlee Way shops in Tredegar from 2 until 4pm,

Mr Prince added:

As the month progresses you will find Gwent Police officers in places convenient for our local residents: outside Wetherspoons in Abergavenny on a Saturday night, at the shops on the Ty Sign estate in Risca at the same time, and parked up in pub car parks, outside libraries and supermarkets throughout the force area,"

Look out for posters advertising times, dates and locations. In addition officers will be tweeting information about where we will be and putting them on our Facebook page so our growing band of followers can easily see where we are, and come and say hello or access services. Of course residents can also find details on our website www.gwent.police.uk."

From today front counter services will no longer be available at 17 stations. Front counters at Ebbw Vale, Cwmbran, Abergavenny and Blackwood remain open from 8am to 8pm every day of the week, whilst the front counter at Newport Central is open 24 hours a day.

Consultation with communities showed that 75% of residents like to pick up the phone to call for police help or advice. The 101 number is the best to use for a general non urgent enquiry and 999 should always be used in emergencies. Residents also said they feel comfortable sending an e-mail so contact@gwent.pnn.police.uk can be used for general enquiries, although the telephone numbers are still the best form of communication for a rapid and personal response.

Look out for our competition to win a day with Gwent Police too! You could spend a day with officers behind the scenes finding out how the Force works and also meet the Chief Constable. To enter just text CONTACT to 80800*, e-mail your contact details to contact@gwent.pnn.police.uk or write to us at Contact Competition, Corporate Communications, Gwent Police HQ, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran, NP44 2XJ.  The closing date for the competition is 11.59pm on Friday, August 24th, 2012 and full terms and conditions can be accessed via http://www.gwent.police.uk/competitionterms/

* Standard network charges apply