Inspector’s blog: Inspector Andrew Boucher, Caerphilly central

 

• Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB).
• How your feedback shapes local policing.
• Our focus in the coming months.

 

Hello all,

This is my first blog as your inspector for the Blackwood and Risca areas.

Over the past few months, and indeed across the pandemic, our neighbourhood policing teams have worked incredibly hard to keep our communities safe – and we, as a team and part of the community, have achieved a lot to be proud of.

We’re currently running four problem oriented policing plans (POP) in the area.

These were put in place following feedback you gave us in our last Your Voice survey (keep an eye out for the launch of the next survey, which will give you the chance to tell us about what you think about your area later this month).

Currently, the plans focus on:

• ASB in Blackwood town centre
• ASB in Newbridge town centre
• illegal use of off-road bikes in Cwmcarn
• illegal use of off-road bikes in Manmoel.
   

I’m pleased to say crime and ASB has been lower this year when compared to other years, and I believe this is down to the commitment and hard work of our teams, partners and communities.

Neighbourhood officers have worked with Safer Caerphilly, the Youth Offending Service, volunteers and local schools to identify meaningful interventions to prosecute those guilty of causing crime and disorder in the area.

It’s a priority for us to deal with the problem at its root so that we prevent crime from reoccurring.

We use a range of analytical tools to identify patterns and emerging issues and then work with partners to tackle these. Where appropriate, we’ve used legislative tools such as community protection notices, criminal behaviour orders and injunctions to prevent re-offending and you’ll have seen some of this advertised on our Gwent Police social media accounts recently.

Despite this overall decrease, however, we’re aware many people still experience ASB in the area.

Over the Halloween period I authorised a dispersal order for Blackwood town centre following reports of disorder, and we’ve continued our work to tackle the dangerous and damaging use of off-road vehicles on our mountains, seizing over 50 vehicles in the last six months.

As we head into the winter months, this commitment will continue, along with our work to address seasonal trends like shoplifting, arson, burglary and vehicle crime.

Please look out for our crime prevention advice over the next few months.

As always, on behalf of the team at Blackwood and Risca, thank you for your continued support.