Police rooms open for business

PC Richard Jones, Sergeant Chris Truscott, Enyd Lock, PCSO Richard Thomas, PCSO Gareth Evans

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.

Cwrt Gwalia, a Linc Cymru retirement home in Ogmore Vale boasts the first community police room. It acts as a base for the two local PCSO’s Richard Thomas and Gareth Evans. They believe that having a permanent base can provide reassurance to the local residents, as the majority of the time this is where they can be found. Coffee mornings are held from the building where the residents and local community can talk to the PCSOs about any concerns they have and get useful crime prevention advice.

PCSOs Richard Thomas and Gareth Evans at Ogmore Vale Police Room

Mrs Clemett, a resident of 11 years says that they not only benefit the residents of Cwrt Gwalia, but also their families as they can seek advice through the PCSOs based there too. All the residents agreed that they felt safer and that it was very reassuring to know that the boys were there. One resident stated that they were “good ambassadors for their service”.

Nantymoel Boys and Girls club boasts the second community access point. Opened in June 2006, and adjacent to the youth club, the room serves a great purpose in bettering relations with the youths of the community.

Enyd Lock, chair of the Community Council stated that the kids have a good rapport with the officers and that the room was a big achievement. Enyd also mentioned that not only does it help community relations, but it is a necessity in today’s community.

Even though the Community Access Points are not manned 24/7, police surgeries are held regularly along with PACT meetings. The Ogmore Vales neighbourhood Polcing team encourage members of the community to get in touch with them with any issues they may have or just for a quick chat!

The Ogmore Vale neighbourhood Policing Team consists of :