Garw rules info day a success

Over 100 people visited the event, and were greeted by several agencies including Police, Samaritans, Fire service, WGCADA, Girl Guiding UK, national Public Health Service, Garw Valley Leisure Centre, Youth Offending Team, Creation Development and the Youth Service, alongside Councillor Reg Jenkins and the Safer Bridgend anti social behaviour team, Conway Hawkins and Geraint Williams.

This was the first action of the newly formed anti-social behaviour task group.

The majority of the visitors to the day were the children and young people, who are often accused of causing the anti-social behaviour. They listened to talks from the fire service, and sat side by side with the Police Officers and PCSOs who often bear the brunt of their behaviour nightly.

Stacks of information was available for adults and children alike, but the days main aim was to provide a chance for members of the community to talk to the agencies that can make a difference. The Youth Service created a ‘talking wall’ where visitors were encouraged to have their say on what they thought should be done to curb anti social behaviour.

More often than not, agencies are quick to judge what they believe the solutions are for each community without consulting those that have to live with the problems first. As one man so precisely stated, ‘Walk a mile in my shoes first, then we’ll find a solution together’.

Safer Bridgend is committed to listening to the community and creating a safer place to live and work through committed partnership working.

The anti social behaviour task group will continue to tackle the reasons behind anti social behaviour and endeavor to find a solution. As always, the task group would very much like to hear from members of the community and their views by contacting Conway Hawkins, Anti social behaviour reduction coordinator at conway.hawkins@bridgend.gov.uk or alternatively on 01656 679533.