Clear, Hold, Build, a partnership tactic designed by the Home Office, aims to rescue and regenerate areas affected by serious and organised crime.
Our initiative, known locally as Respect Rhymney, will see officers use a range of targeted police operations to home in on crime groups to disrupt and prevent them from operating.
A lot of good work has already taken place, with officers working hard over the last year to investigate, arrest and convict eight organised crime group (OCG) members to prison sentences totalling 30 years and seven months.
But the hard work continues.
Over the next year, we will relentlessly pursue criminals, work with partners to ensure Rhymney remains safe, and then, with partners, carry out work to regenerate and rejuvenate the environment and surrounding communities – to make it a community we’re all proud of.
What’s happening?
Our Respect Rhymney work consists of three phases.
By ruthlessly pursuing gang members, we’ll clear the area of serious crime.
Our enforcement and engagement activity will continue in order to hold the area and prevent other organised crime groups filling the void.
By working with residents and partners, we’ll work to build the area into a more prosperous area, one that residents are proud of and one less susceptible to being exploited by organised crime groups.
When?
This is a long-term project. Work has already started, and our officers have taken down several serious criminals while removing drugs from the streets, but their efforts will continue and, with partners, we’ll work to rejuvenate the area and restore pride in the town.
Why?
By working together, we’ll make Rhymney a hostile environment for organised criminals, and protect those living, visiting and working in the area.
Our work will also help safeguard those vulnerable to manipulation by gangs, and restore pride in the town by regenerating areas highlighted as being blighted by illegal activity. This reclamation of Rhymney will help communities build long-term resilience and prevent future threats.
Who are we working with?
We will enforce against those suspected of committing criminal activity, while partners like Safer Caerphilly Community Safety team, Trading Standards, Environmental Health, CCBC Youth Services, CCBC Housing & Tenancy Enforcement, CCBC Licensing Teams, DVSA and more, will work with us to make Rhymney a safer place.