Operation to target youth annoyance and underage drinking
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.
The intelligence – led operation involved high visibility foot patrols throughout identified problem areas, with a focus on housing estates, bus shelters, and parks. The operation focused on the evening time, where groups of youths gather on streets, and incidents of an anti social manner are most common.
As a result of the operation 12 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued, 1 male person was arrested for drink driving, and 1 male person was arrested for drug possession.
In addition 62 person stop checks were carried out, 16 vehicle document checks instigated, and over 30 bottles and cans of alcohol were seized.
The operation allowed officers to target young persons, who have been causing annoyance to members of the public, causing damage to properties, committing public disorder incidents, and drinking alcohol.
Another aspect of the operation focused on engaging licensed premises, to ensure alcohol was not being made available to underage persons. During the operation, officers conducted 14 licensed premises visits.
Ogmore and Garw Valley Neighbourhood Policing Team PC Lee Duke, who led the operation, stated “The operation was carried out in response to concerns raised by community members, who were worried about youths behaving in an anti social manner. This kind of behaviour has a negative impact on the quality of life for community members and is simply not acceptable. The operation resulted in 2 arrests, and 12 Fixed Penalties were issued, and it is hoped the operation will discourage further anti social behaviour.”
PC Lee Duke continues “Anti social behaviour is often fuelled by alcohol consumption, and the operation aimed to cut the supply of alcohol to underage persons with drink being confiscated, and regular patrols around the vicinity of licensed premises. During the operation over 30 bottles and cans of alcohol were seized from underage persons.”
Community members are urged to inform their Neighbourhood Policing Teams of any concerns they have via approaching officers on the beat, or via upcoming Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings, with meeting dates being available from www.saferbridgend.org.uk, and clicking on the PACT Information link.
Alternatively community members with any information on anti social behaviour, are urged to contact Bridgend Police Station on 01656 655 555, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.