Community projects

The Be A Nice Guy (BANG) campaign is run by the Safer Bridgend Community Safety Partnership at this time every year to encourage people to respect the people and property surrounding them while out having fun and to remember the Firework Code.

Read these tips to help you Be A Nice Guy this Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Operation Firefly was run by Police and partner agencies throughout the weekends of August to try to reduce anti-social behaviour throughout BridgendCounty.

During the summer holidays 2008 Brackla Junior School was host to the LINK sporting event encouraging youths between the ages 8-16 to try their hand at football, basketball and other sporting activities.

On Sunday between 1300 hrs and 1900 hrs Operation Bumble bee took place targeting the anti - social use of cars and motorcycles in Porthcawl.

PCSO Paul Galtry and Debbie Bryn from Youth Works took a group of young people from Wildmill to Ogmore by Sea as part of Operation Firefly.

Celtic Crusaders in conjunction with Safer Bridgend and South Wales Police organised a tag festival on Friday 15th August at Porthcawl RFC from 6 till 9pm for children from around Bridgend aged between 10 and 16 years as part of operation Firefly.

It is proposed to erect a youth shelter as a meeting place for young people on land at the rear of the Co-op, Pontycymmer and opposite the Fire Station, hopefully as an alternative to the bus shelter on the Square. However before any action is taken the views of the local community are being sought.

PCSO's Donovon Smith and Robin Newman seized a large amount of alcohol from teenagers during a recent patrol of Newcastle Hill, Bridgend on Tuesday night.

Celtic Crusaders in conjunction with Safer Bridgend and South Wales Police have organised a tag festival this Friday at Porthcawl RFC from 6 till 9pm for children from youth clubs around Bridgend aged between 10 and 16 years.

Neil Lyddon from Pencoed Town Council approached Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Heather Dobbs to become involved in a new initiative called "Wood Watch". This was due to the acts of vandalism, litter and inappropriate use of the woods experienced and reported by Neil over a period of time.

Madeleine Moon MP was delighted by the success of her first Information Roadshow held last Friday at Nolton Church Hall, Bridgend.

Pupils enjoying summer holiday fun at the school summer camp successfully beat the Porthcawl PCSO’s at a game of football.

Crime Prevention advice was on the agenda in Pyle recently as Pyle Neighbourhood Policing Team targeted shed owners.

On Thursday 19th June PCSO Chris Bowen and PCSO Martin Trask attended Penyfai Primary School in the afternoon for their Annual Fete.

South Wales Police, Church leaders, volunteers and Bridgend County Borough Council joined forces last year to launch the ‘Street Pastors’ scheme to tackle issues within Bridgend Town Centre during the busy evenings of the weekends, when the streets are at their most volatile.

Bike safety and drugs and alcohol awareness are the hot topics in the GarwValley at the moment, with more children and teenagers than ever before taking to their bikes, and the growing concerns about drugs and alcohol.

Bridgend Substance Misuse Action Team has arranged a series of workshops to support people who use drug and alcohol services to become more involved in how they are planned. The workshops are being delivered by New Link Wales and will give people the chance to develop skills in communication, managing meetings, how to be assertive as well as explaining how drug and alcohol services are planned.

Our Annual Exhibition & Fun Day took place at the Bridgend Recreation Centre on Thursday 3rd April. This year's theme was ‘The Circus’, organisers and stand holders dressed up as clowns and ringmasters to add to the fun.

The Ospreys have unveiled details of an innovative new community initiative, which will see more than one hundred Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and youth workers qualify as rugby coaches in its first year in a bid to tackle issues of social inclusion in the area.

Wales and Ospreys star James Hook gave the pupils of Blaencaerau junior school in Caerau a thrill when he paid a visit to the school.

Due to concerns raised in last weeks Caerau ward PACT meeting about excessive and dangerous speeding of vehicles, a Speeding Operation was undertaken by the Caerau Neighbourhood Policing Team at ‘Heol Ty Wyth’, Nantyffyllon.

Safer Bridgend Community Safety Partnership successfully hosted the first anti-social behaviour information day on Saturday in the VETZ club in Pontycymer.

The latest drugs campaign to sweep through the Borough of Bridgend has achieved unprecedented and unparalleled success, proving that Bridgend really has been made the most uncomfortable place for drug dealers.

Three off road bikes were confiscated and 6 warnings were issued over a period of two days in a clampdown on the problem of off road biking in Cornelly and the Kenfig Nature Reserve.

Schools liaison officers left the classroom and took to the streets in the run up towards Christmas as a joint operation took place to apprehend any pupils not in school.

The Bridgend heat of the South Wales Police Crime Prevention quiz was held on Thursday the 29th November, 2007. The Odeon Cinema again offered to provide the venue and were excellent hosts.

A triage unit will be set up in the town centre to treat Christmas revellers needing medical attention on the busiest period before Christmas, Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd December.

We’ve all had something to do with a school bully. Whether we are the bully, have been bullied, tried to sort out the situation or reported it to a teacher, or even just seen news reports on how bad the situation is getting, we all know it exists. Unfortunately these days, bullying is now not the only problem in schools, as anti-social behaviour creeps slowly into schools, and is reflected in the wider community.

Rogue parkers and dodgy drivers beware: four legged officers’ Danby and Lancer are on the streets of Bridgend issuing fixed penalty notices.

Pencoed Junior School is cracking down on environmental issues in conjunction with their local Bobbies, PCSOs Heather Dobbs and Robin Newman, and also Keep Wales Tidy.

Safer Bridgend Community Safety partnership will be distributing 20,000 safety beer mats to the tables in the pubs and clubs of Bridgend borough.

A small community on the outskirts of Bridgend has never received so much attention.

Bettws, a small valleys community of around 2,000 residents has recently been the target of various agencies working in partnership to make the community a better place to live and work in.

‘F’ divisions’ very own PC Steve Bowen has recently been nominated for the Jane’s Police Review Community Police Officer of the year award. Established as a national event in 1992, its aims are to promote a positive side of police work. Officers are nominated for the award by their forces and judged on their personal skills, local initiatives to combat crime and provide excellent working relationships with their communities.

The Odeon Cinema in Bridgend plays a much bigger part of community life than people may think. The cinema, in partnership with Caerau Neighbourhood Policing Team recently donated several tickets to pupils at Blaencaerau Junior School to reward pupils for their hard work and commitment.

Bridgend Police is gearing itself up for what has traditionally become the busiest time of year.

With celebrations for Halloween and Bonfire Night fast approaching a concerted effort is once again being undertaken by South Wales Police, in liaison with the Fire and Rescue Service, the Education Authority, Trading Standards and Retailers to reduce the number of incidents reported over this period.

The Garw policing teams in conjunction with CCTV have taken tough action on a repeat group of troublemakers at the square in Pontycymer.

Between the 22nd and 27th of September, a joint operation took place at the Bowls Hall Car Park at Bridgend Recreation Ground after intelligence was received from local residents about anti-social behaviour that was occurring in the area.

The zebra crossing on High Street, Ogmore Vale has never been paid so much attention. Local children attending the OgmoreValePrimary School have been facing problems on their journey to school, with commuters rushing past the crossing without stopping to let the children cross.

Ogmore Vale and Nantymoel have recently welcomed their own police rooms into the community. Having suffered from the closure of their Police Station 18 months ago, identity and focus in the community were lost leaving officers to deal with local issues from another station.

However, now the boys in blue have taken residence right in the heart of both communities the benefits are true for all to see.

In today’s day and age when an unwelcome visitor comes to the door, it is can be very difficult for residents to gauge whether or not people are genuine. To assist in this decision the residents of Llys Faen have been given a helping hand with the official launch of their very own ‘No Cold Calling Zone’.

A project between the young people on Wildmill,Youth Works (Groundwork), Valleys to Coast and local businesses culminated in an official opening yesterday.

RUBGY stars The Ospreys have come up trumps once again in helping young people keep safe within Ospreylia.

The region has joined forces with project sponsors Npower renewables and South Wales Community Safety Partnerships to produce an Ospreys version of the popular trump cards game.

Some 43 colour cards have been produced as well as a giant A1 poster featuring Osprey squad photos, players’ statistics and key community safety messages.

This morning, (20/09/07) at 0700 a large scale dawn raid drug warrant operation took place within the Borough of Bridgend. Under the direction of the Rat on a Rat campaign, several houses within the Brackla, Caerau and Wildmill area were targeted and are still in the process of being targeted throughout the day. Doors were smashed down in this visible campaign and members of the public looked on as officers raided properties across the borough.

First Bus Company, the main provider of bus services in Bridgend is fully backing the recently launched Rat on a Rat 2007. Launched last week, Rat on a Rat 2007 run by Bridgend Police and the Safer Bridgend Partnership, focus on the drug dealers that operate in the community, and how they can be removed to disrupt the higher level of supply. Rat on a Rat posters are now up on most buses in the Borough, providing a wide audience of travellers the information and confidence needed to make a call to help stop the drug dealers in the community.

The Bridgend Coalition of Disabled People was officially launched today at the Bridgend Recreational Centre. Chaired by Simon Green, who is an active member of the community the Coalition aims to give disabled people in Bridgend a chance to get together and discuss their concerns and views about the Borough with an aim to make Bridgend Borough a disabled friendly place.

The Aberkenfig Neighbourhood Policing Team, and community partners have a held a sports fun day for young persons in Sarn. The event at the Sarn Life Centre included a range of sporting activities including football, rugby, along with a barbecue, prize draws, and music by a DJ.

Archbishop McGrath Roman Catholic school pupils joined forces with Police after the school was targeted by vandals during last years summer holidays.

Saturday 21st July was Porthcawl's annual carnival. The parade started at Sandy Bay, Porthcawl, travelled around the town and made their way to Porthcawl rugby club.

Help Stamp out crime in your local forests and countryside.

Following a successful 12 month pilot scheme in the Neath & Port Talbot area, Forestry Commission Wales and South Wales Police are rolling out the scheme into other areas of South Wales. Since the scheme came into force in Neath & Port Talbot Forest Watch members have provided the Forestry Commission and police with important information.

The Garw Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team has held a Sports Day, at the Garw Valley Leisure Centre, with competing squads from Betws, Cwmgarw, and BlaengarwJuniorSchools.

The Aberkenfig Neighbourhood Policing Team along with Enforcement Officer Marshall Greer has conducted a number of patrols throughout Coytrahen and Bryncethin to target the problem of dog fouling.

PCSO Holly Prosser was invited to a presentation evening at Porthcawl Primary by the headmaster Mr Wood.

The evening is an annual awards ceremony for the students, recognising team work in sporting activites and personal Achievements.

A new scheme aimed at putting the squeeze on criminals and making the south Wales forest a safer place for everyone to enjoy has been launched.

The Aberkenfig Neighbourhood Policing Team have conducted a number of PACT led operations throughout the month of June, including vehicle speed reduction operations, crime prevention activities, and an operation to target anti social behaviour.

During the week of 21st-25th may 2007, Coychurch primary school and local

PCSO ROB NEWMAN, in partnership with Simon Ladbrooke BCBC Road safety

Officer took part in a "walk to school" week.

Youngsters from Cardiff, Merthyr, the Vale and Bridgend were treated to expert coaching at the Ian St John Soccer Academy, thanks to support from South Wales Police and Coca Cola Enterprises Ltd (Wales and the West).

Blaengarw Neighbourhood Policing Team PCSO Laura Reynolds has teamed up with the Blaengarw Workingmans Club Committee to provide Blaengarw youngsters aged between 11 and 16, with a weekly youth club.

The pupils of Nantyfyllon Primary School have teamed up with the Caerau Neighbourhood Policing Team, with the school receiving new hockey equipment.

Caerau Neighbourhood Beat Officers PC Steve Bowen, PC Mark Hunter, and PC Ceri Jones who are regular visitors to the school and a friendly face to the pupils arranged for the school to have new hockey equipment, including hockey sticks, and training tops.

South Wales Fire Chiefs are warning that the grass fires that have been sweeping the area over the past month could soon claim lives.

The Ogmore Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team was today joined by 11 pupils from OgmoreValePrimary School to carry out a vehicle speed reduction exercise, along the A4093, in Blackmill.

The Annual childrens exhibition & fun Day took place at the Bridgend Recreation Centre on Thursday 12th April. This year's theme was ‘Easter’, organisers and stand holders dressed up as Easter Bunnies or wore Easter Bonnets.

The Garw Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team have conducted a vehicle crime enforcement operation, named Magma, resulting in 222 positive actions.

The 48 hour operation involved high visibility foot and vehicle patrols throughout the GarwValley, with a focus on preventing vehicle related crime, along with enforcement towards any offenders.

Church leaders, Bridgend County Borough Council and South Wales Police have joined forces to tackle issues within Bridgend Town Centre during the busy evenings of the weekends, when the streets are at their most volatile.

The pupils of Tynyrheol Primary School, Llangeinor, have carried out a number of morning and afternoon patrols aimed at stopping vehicles parking on the double yellow lines (outside of the school, along Heol Llangeinor). The pupils were accompanied by their Neighbourhood Policing Team PCSO Laura Reynolds, PCSO Dave Wilkinson, and PCSO Gareth Evans, along with traffic wardens.

Pupils from Pontycymmer Nursery School have teamed up with their Ogmore and Garw Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team Police Community Support Officers Laura Reynolds and Gareth Evans to tackle the problem of school trespassers and vandalism.

The Ogmore and Garw Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team urge motorists to drive sensibly, and will be conducting a number of operations, to target motoring offences, including speeding, driving without wearing a seatbelt, and using a mobile phone.

The local boys in blue are upbeat about missing an hour’s sleep this weekend and will toast the start of summertime with Brace’s Bakery.

On the 12th of March, Linda Whittaker, Director of Housing for the Welsh Assembly Government, officially opened the Vesta Project in Bridgend. The Vesta Project is a partnership between the Wallich Clifford Community, Bridgend County Borough Council, Bridgend Local Health Board, and United Welsh Housing Association.

The Bridgend Children's Information Service will be hosting a free exhibition and fun day for children aged 0 – 10 years and adults between 10am and 3pm on Thursday, 12 April 2007 at the Bridgend Recreation Centre, Angel Street, Bridgend.

A Substance Misuse Awareness Session will be held on Wednesday 28th March 2007, at the Wildmill Community Centre, commencing at 19:00.

The Ogmore Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team has carried out a Pact led Operation named Denver to target anti social behaviour in the Blackmill, Nantymoel, Ogmore Vale, and Pant-Yr-Awel areas.

The Pencoed Neighbourhood Policing Team has carried out Operation Swordfish to target motoring offences. As part of the operation, a number of high visibility patrols were conducted targeting motoring offences, including driving without wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone, and speeding.

The Brackla Community Council has funded the purchase of a Unipar SL700 hand held laser speed meter, which will be used by the Brackla Neighbourhood Policing Team.

The project in Bridgend is funded by Valleys 2 Coast Housing Association, Environment Agency Wales and Bridgend County Borough Council.

Within the county of Bridgend, the Pride in Our Communities officer will initially work with the communities of Caerau and Cornelly to encourage residents to help tackle the problem of fly-tipping.

The Maesteg Neighbourhood Policing Team and Bridgend County Borough Council have carried out a PACT – led operation to target dog fouling and litter incidents, throughout Maesteg.

25 pupils from Arch Deacon John Lewis Primary School, in Brackla, Bridgend, have taken part in an educational visit to the South Wales Police Museum, at Police Headquarters, on Cowbridge Road, Bridgend.

Pontycymmer Police Station has received an interior makeover, thanks to the help of 6 young people involved in the Youth Offending Team reparation programme. The police station has been painted by the young people over a number of weeks of refurbishment work.

The Pencoed Neighbourhood Policing Team will be conducting a number of operations over the next few weeks, to target motoring offences, including driving without wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone, and speeding.

Redeveloping the Brewer’s Site in Caerau is the highest priority of the Caerau Regeneration Project which is a Communities First initiative that helps local people realise physical and environmental schemes important to them.

Pupils at WestparkPrimary School, in Nottage, Porthcawl, have taken part in a road safety project named Kerbcraft. As part of the project, the pupils have learnt how to cross roads safely, and have been given lessons on the green cross code.

Neighbourhood Policing Teams throughout the Maesteg policing sector have conducted a multiple crime enforcement operation, named Anchorage, resulting in 14 arrests.

The operation involved officers from the OgmoreValley, GarwValley, Maesteg, Caerau, and Aberkenfig Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

The Ogmore Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team has carried out Operation Casper, to tackle vehicle related crime in Ogmore Vale, Nantymoel, and Blackmill.

The operation was intelligence led utilising information received from community members, as a result of an earlier media appeal for information made by the Ogmore, and Garw Valley Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

The Aberkenfig Neighbourhood Policing Team have teamed up with the pupils of Sarn Nursery School, Bridgend to celebrate the school’s Eco Schools Green Flag award.

South Wales Police and Trading Standards Officers are warning residents to be on their guard against distraction burglars and opportunist rogue traders, as a result of the bad weather conditions last week, and the subsequent damage caused to both properties, and gardens.

Ospreys outside half Matthew Jones teamed up with the Caerau Neighbourhood Policing Team to visit the rugby team at BlaencaerauJuniorSchool, in Caerau, for a presentation of the school’s new rugby kit. The new kit was arranged by Caerau Neighbourhood Beat Officer PC Steve Bowen, with the help of sponsorship from community partner BAVO (Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations), Al’s Pizza (Commercial Street, Maesteg), and the shirts were supplied by Gwyn Richards Sports (Talbot Street, Maesteg).

Neighbourhood Policing Teams have joined up with Bridgend County Borough Council to carry out a PACT Led operation named Sertina to target off road bike annoyance in Bridgend

Though New Year’s resolutions are best known for the speed at which they are forgotten, the Wales Centre for Health believe that making a few changes to your lifestyle can have a positive effect on your overall health.

To coincide with the season for self-improvement, the Wales Centre for Health is launching a new campaign called ‘Healthy Me / Iechydi Mi’asking the public for their top tips for keeping healthy, in return for which they could be in with a chance to win a tailor-made exclusive spa break at a luxury hotel in Wales.

Safer Bridgend deliver domestic abuse foundation courses, as part of its domestic abuse multi agency training programme.

The Ogmore and Garw Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team has carried out a Pact led Operation named CANELA to target youths responsible for anti social behaviour in the Betws, Blaengarw, and Pontycymmer areas.

South Wales Police operation targets scrambler annoyance in the Kenfig nature reserve, Porthcawl, resulting in 9 first warnings being issued.

Numerous successful projects have taken place in the Communities first areas, Caerau, Bettws and Evanstown.

Parents are being asked to think carefully before buying minimotor or off road bikes for their children this Christmas - as South Wales Police warn of the risks.

South Wales Police is launching a campaign from November 20th, which warns parents of the dangers, nuisance and damage that motorcycles and mini motorcycles can pose to children when used incorrectly.

Bridgend Children and Young Person’s Partnership (CYPP), have held their 5th Framework Conference, at the Bethlehem Church Life Centre, in Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend. The conference brought together a wide range of delegates from youth related community partnerships, along with children and young persons, from throughout the Borough of Bridgend, and took place on Thursday 16th November 2006.

The pupils of PenybontPrimary School, Bridgend, have this morning carried out a patrol aimed at stopping vehicles parking on the schools zig zag lines. The school council members along with school prefects, were joined by Senior Traffic Warden Bari Williams, Traffic Warden Helena Phillips, Sergeant Steve Ryan, Police Constable Joeli Sweeney, Bridgend County Borough Council Road Safety Officer Simon Ladbroke, and Head Teacher Chris Britten.

Bridgend schools and colleges will now have an additional tool for tackling anti-social behaviour. Assembly Minister Janice Gregory launched the School Acceptable Behaviour Protocol, at the Bridgend Civic Chamber, on Friday 13th October. Also present at the launch were representatives from the schools who have signed the protocol, including teachers and governors.

Respect has been highlighted as an issue with young people, and mutual respect is something that is expected in Bridgend Youth Offending Team.

On Friday 6th October, Bridgend Youth Offending Team received a BYSFA - an award from Bridgend Youth Service in recognition of their achievements in the world of film. Five young people, along with several staff members and the help of a local film company, wrote and directed and starred in the DVD - WHERE YOU OFF?