Operations crackdown on anti social behaviour
Anti social behaviour crackdown within the Ogmore Valley following the success of Operations Benedict and Bellflower.
Following an increase in reported incidents of anti social behaviour being committed by local youths who were responsible for disabling First Cymru buses as they stopped to pick up and drop off passengers on Ogwy Street, Nantymoel members of the Ogmore Valley Neighbourhood Policing team (NPT) put together a special operation to deal with the problem.
As well as incidents reported directly to the police, concerns have also been raised by local residents and First Cymru buses following community consultation during PACT meetings and surgeries as well as Neighbourhood Watch and other community meetings.
The senseless and dangerous anti social behaviour acts committed by local youths led First Cymru buses to consider suspending the bus services from the Ogmore Valley during evening times.
Complaints had also been received by police from residents that local youths had been congregating in large numbers and causing a general by being very abusive and throwing stones and eggs at local residents’ premises.
The Ogmore Valley NPT launched operations Benedict and Bellflower in a bid to address and resolve these anti social behaviour incidents by mounting a high profile, highly visible presence on buses at the times identified by First Cymru and local residents as being when most incidents occurred and when intimidation was at its highest.
The ‘Bus Watch Scheme’ set up by the Ogmore Valley NPT was a great success and during and following Operation Benedict there have been no reported incidents of anti social behaviour made by First Cymru buses.
Neighbourhood Beat Manager PC Gemma Tibbott, who led the operations said: “As a direct result of proactive, high profile targeted patrols conducted by the Ogmore Valley NPT combined with close community engagement and public reassurance involving First Cymru buses and community members who use the bus service within the Ogmore Valley the Team successfully increased public confidence in their public services and community policing team. The operation has also played an important role in preserving the local bus service that is so important to residents living within the semi rural ward.”
During the four day Operation Bellflower which addressed the concerns of local victims of anti social behaviour within their own homes, a total of 30 anti social behaviour referral forms were submitted by the Ogmore Valley NPT and each incident was dealt with on a one to one basis, with officers gaining a greater understanding of the youth annoyance problem and providing reassurance to all those concerned. In addition, a further 15 people were stopped and searched and a quantity of alcohol seized from local youths.
PC Tibbott added: “During operation Bellflower all those involved in reported anti social behaviour incidents were identified and spoken to at their home addresses with their parents present. A total of 30 anti social behaviour referral forms were submitted for their disruptive behaviour.
“The Ogmore Valley NPT will deal robustly with those responsible for these acts of anti social behaviour to create a better quality of life for residents. We urge people to come forward and report anti social behaviour incidents or attend their local PACT meetings or surgeries so we can make sure that our patrols and problem areas are targeted effectively in the future.”