Blackwood inspector praises community spirit following week of targeted action

Neighbourhood officers worked closely with partners to carry out warrants and searches to address anti-social behaviour.

Inspector Chris Hopkin has praised the openness, togetherness and supportive nature of the Blackwood community following a week of police work to “build on the improvements seen in the town in recent weeks”.

Ahead of Blackwood Spring Fair on Saturday 8 March, his neighbourhood policing team kicked off a series of police surgeries and engagement sessions to talk to residents about the work we’ve carried out in recent months to address reports of anti-social behaviour.

Back in January, calls around disorder around Market Square and the bus station increased, prompting officers to adopt a tailored operation to combat the issue.

This included increased patrols, the use of dispersal notices and enforcement work to target those responsible.

During the operation, officers arrested and charged a 17-year-old girl from the area for multiple offences, including breaching a community protection notice.

Since then, however, the neighbourhood policing inspector for the area says things have improved.

Inspector Hopkin said: “In January, we received around 40 reports relating to anti-social behaviour (ASB) or related criminal damage, which is completely unacceptable.

“The public know that this mindless behaviour could potentially delay our officers in getting to emergency calls where vulnerable people need urgent help, so people acting disorderly can delay us in getting to these incidents.

“However, the team has tackled the problem effectively, with reports decreasing to around four calls in the last two weeks.

“In the lead up to the fair last weekend, we arranged a number of drop-in engagement sessions on the town to update the public on this work, but to also talk to residents about any concerns they have, or information they have about crime in the area.”

In an unrelated incident on the town, officers received reports of violent disorder on the afternoon of Thursday 13 February.

Insp Hopkin added: “While violent incidents like that are very rare in the area, I hope it came as some reassurance to residents just how quickly officers were at the scene and able to arrest those we believed to be responsible.

“The last week has also seen us work with partners to carry out a series of warrants and searches.

“On Friday 7 March, we assisted Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards team, who were carrying out searches at commercial properties they suspected could be selling illegal vapes and tobacco.

“On the day, the team seized 168 non-compliant vapes, 3,580 cigarettes and 33 50g pouches of tobacco believed to be counterfeit. Investigations are ongoing.”

“Additionally, Trading Standards carried out underage sales test purchasing in the area and were encouraged that all retailers tested refused the vape sale to the young volunteers, requesting ID in all instances.”

Councillor Philippa Leonard, Caerphilly County Borough Council's cabinet member for Planning and Public Protection, said: “The trade in illicit tobacco and vapes is closely linked to organised crime and is harmful to our health, particularly young people’s health.

“Removing these from the streets is a real result. Not only does the trade put money in criminals’ pockets but it also harms our local communities and legitimate businesses.

“We were supported by Regional Trading Standards officers under Operation Cece, and I would like to thank our trading standards team and Gwent Police for taking these unsafe products off the shelves.”

If you have concerns about crime or ASB in your area, please report it to us via the website, by calling 101 or by messaging us on social media so that we can act.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, with information or visit their website.