Crime is down across Bridgend
Police in Bridgend are looking back on a very successful 12 months which has seen reductions in crime levels across almost all recorded categories.
As a result of strong collaborative work with Bridgend County Borough Council and other members of Safer Bridgend there has been an over all reduction of 26% from November to April 2009–10 compared with the same period 12 months earlier.
When looking specifically at crime that takes place between 10.00pm and 6.00am, which is classed as the night time economy, there has been on overall reduction in crime of 22%.
Recent results show falls in criminal damage of 6%, violent crime of 21.5% and 22% in public order offences. Drug related incidents have increased from just one incident being recorded in 2008-09 to 12 recorded incidents in 2009-10 which is due to increased levels of policing, searching premises and detaining offenders.
Superintendent Steve Furnham of Bridgend Community Safety Partnership said: “There have been some significant reductions in crime levels in Bridgend Town Centre and this has been down to all the hard work of the police and Community Safety teams over the past months, with continuing work being carried out in the town centre with increased patrols and improved relations with Licensees”.
“Joint police operations such as Apache and Raven have also had a big impact and continuing work will endeavour to reduce the levels further”.
“However, public perception needs to be tackled as Bridgend Town Centre has not got a good reputation. A recent public survey in the town centre suggests that even though crime levels are falling, the public have a negative image of the area. We need to change this perception by letting people know about all the good work we have been doing for the public to see that Bridgend town centre is changing for the better and it is a safe place to visit”.
“We have been listening to our communities’ needs and understood that they saw Bridgend town centre as being a priority for them in tackling crime and disorder. With some comprehensive work with our partners in the local authority combined with increased uniform police presence on the streets of Bridgend during the weekends we are delighted to see significant reductions in these crime areas”.
“Our challenge now is to see these figures as the beginning of our work to continue to reduce crime and disorder and deliver increased reassurance and confidence to residents, workers and visitors in Bridgend.”
Central Division’s Chief Superintendent Carl Davies added: “These crimes affect the quality of life and can have a devastating on individuals, families and whole communities, and that is why I am very pleased to see such a significant reduction”.
“This has been achieved by officers targeting prolific offenders who commit the majority of our crime. It is also the result of the work that has been done with our partners such as the local authority and voluntary sector”.
“These excellent results for Bridgend reflect the success of South Wales Police in general which has seen the largest national rise in public confidence across England and Wales of seven per cent and we are the sixth most improved force in England and Wales for crime reduction with an overall fall of 12 per cent.”