Inspector’s blog: Inspector Caddick, Caerphilly south

Well, it’s been seven challenging, enjoyable and rewarding weeks since my arrival in Bedwas and Caerphilly south, and I thought now would be the perfect time to update you on the work of your neighbourhood policing team and provide a round-up of recent news and developments in the area.

A new-look team

We’ve recently welcomed PC Anna Porter to the team. PC Porter is now the ward officer for Lansbury Park and works closely with Community Support Officer Sarah Barbour.

PC Porter joins from the response team in Bedwas, so is very familiar with the area and is a great addition to our team.

Partnership working and tackling ASB

We enjoy a close working relationship with our partners in Caerphilly Borough County Council, which enables us to provide effective support and apply measures that can make a real difference to residents.

An example being our work to tackle anti-social behaviour with the local authority.

We’ve recently been successful in applying for an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI) against a young person who, despite several interventions by us and our partners, continued their involvement in incidents that were causing alarm or distress to members of our community. 

An ASBI allows us to exclude individuals from entering certain areas or behaving in a manner likely to cause distress. If the person breaches these conditions, then my officers will arrest them and put them before the court.

While on this topic, I’d like to ask that parents and guardians ensure they know where their children are, who they are with and what they are doing when out of the house.

Most young people are well behaved and respectful but, unfortunately, a minority are not, and some parents have had unexpected visits and letters from my officers detailing concerns we have about their child’s behaviour.

Appeal for information – Fire Service vehicle damage during call to Lansbury Park

Last month (22 January), or emergency service partners at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service responded to reports of a deliberate refuse fire near the skate park at Lansbury Park.

While in the area, stones were reportedly thrown at the crew’s vehicle, damaging the windscreen.

While no one was injured during the incident, it is completely unacceptable and could have resulted in the crew being delayed in responding to critical incidents.

My officers continue to investigate. If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please contact us on 101, quoting the following reference number: 22000127629.

Supporting our community

Since arriving in Bedwas I’ve been hugely impressed by the passion of our CSOs, who continue to come up with new, innovative ways of supporting our communities.

From delivering first aid lessons in local schools to hosting monthly LGBTQ+ events at a local café (in order to provide a safe space in which people can share their thoughts and concerns with officers), recent engagement events have been a success.

Follow @GPCaerphilly on Twitter to remain updated on local surgeries, events and drop-in sessions we’re holding in Caerphilly.  

Early morning raids lead to drug charges

We’re committed to tackling serious and organised crime and, over the last month, 10 people have been arrested on suspicion of a variety of offences, including the cultivation of cannabis and the supply of Class A drugs.

Earlier this week, on Monday 21 February, a series of early morning raids were carried out across Gwent, leading to seven men being charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Our serious and organised crime team, roads policing and specialist operations officers, response and neighbourhood officers and our special constables worked together to execute the warrants across Caerphilly and Newport.

As a result, eight people were charged with offences and were remanded into custody. My sincere thanks to all involved in this operation.

The importance of your reports

The catalyst for these operations can often be information provided by you.

Examples like people living well beyond their means, or addresses receiving a lot of visitors at strange times of the day can help us build a better picture of suspicious activity across Gwent.

I continue to ask for your support so that we can target and disrupt anyone involved in criminal activity, and help those being exploited. 

Any information you may have can be reported via 101, our social media pages or anonymously via Crimestoppers online or on 0800 555 111.

Community spirit during Storm Eunice

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank officers across Gwent Police, staff across our local authorities, and key stakeholders for their hard work during the recent stormy weather.

Maintaining essential services while dealing with the high-speed winds and wet weather was no easy feat, but we saw some amazing work by officers, partners and our communities to protect and reassure the public throughout last weekend.

Thank you.