Pill blog: January 2023

Welcome to our January blog for Pill

This instalment of the inspector’s blog will give you an insight into the work that our teams carried out in November and December and will focus on how our neighbourhood policing team is working with partners and the community to help keep Pill safe.

Since our last blog, our neighbourhood officers have been working hard to tackle issues that have been raised by members of the community.

Inspector Hannah Welti said:

"The hard work that our officers carry out across Gwent, and in particular in Pill, is vital in ensuring that our communities feel protected and reassured.

"Over the last couple of months, we've launched new initiatives to help tackle the issues that local residents have raised and have already seen some fantastic results.

"By working with the community and our partners we can ensure that Pill remains a safe place for everyone."

Here's what our officers have been up to...

Operation Absorb

Operation Absorb was a multi-agency operation, aiming to reduce acquisitive crime in Pill.

In December, Operation Absorb saw:

• one disqualified driver reported
• one vehicle seized
• one waste carrier offence reported
• three duty of care offence enforcement notices
• six people reported for other driving offences.

Operation Wyvern

December also saw the re-introduction of Operation Wyvern. This operation focuses on tackling sexual exploitation in Pill.

The operation has already seen positive results, with a 52-year-old man and a 58-year-old man being arrested and charged with soliciting for the purpose of obtaining sexual services.

From speaking to members of the community, we have identified significant concerns of sexual exploitation in the area. Whilst it was already a priority for the neighbourhood policing team, we're now working more collaboratively with partners and taking proactive steps to tackle sexual exploitation. We hope this sends a clear to anyone within or visiting Pill, that there is a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation. 

Our team often meet with local support groups to help anyone identified as vulnerable.

Operation Polar Express

Over the festive period, officers carried out increased visibility patrols in known burglary areas to help keep local residents and business safe.

As part of Operation Polar Express, a 46-year-old man was arrested and charged on five counts of theft, and a 43-year-old man was charged with two offences.

The success of this operation meant that business owners felt protected and reassured.

Working with partners

On Friday (13 January), our officers worked alongside partners from Newport City Council as part of "Partnering for Pill".

This joint initiative was carried out in order for residents to speak with both our officers and council officers about any issues or concerns that they may have.

The day was a success, and it was great to see so many people come along to speak with officers.

-

We're starting the year as we mean to go on - arresting those intent on breaking the law and causing harm and distress in our communities.

At the beginning of January, our team arrested a 24-year-old from the Newport area on suspicion of:

• possession with intent to supply class A drugs - heroin and amphetamine
• possession with intent to supply class B drugs - cannabis
• possession of criminal property
• dangerous driving
• aggravated burglary.

The man has since been remanded into prison. 

-

We look forward to sharing the next blog, keep your eyes peeled.

To keep up to date with our neighbourhood policing teams good work, follow @GPNewport and Gwent Police on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Inspector Hannah Welti

Pill neighbourhood policing team