Launch of ‘Fire Safety and Crime Reduction Bikes’ project
Bridgend's South Wales police have teamed up with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) to launch a brand new partnership initiative. The aim of the project is to improve fire safety and to monitor areas or sites that may not normally be easily accessible during standard patrols. It will also be an opportunity for officers to visit local businesses in the Bridgend area and make business owners aware of the risks that certain stocks they carry can be targeted by arsonists.
PCSO Steve Bowen from Brackla Neighbourhood Policing Team was involved in one of the first joint patrols in the Bridgend area. Patrols were made in the Brackla area at locations that are susceptible to fire, such as the wooded areas and subways. The officers then carried out a further patrol in the Wildmill area as this area has also recently experienced this type of issue.
Several members of the public stopped the officers to enquire as to the reason for the patrols. The scheme is also designed to increase community engagement and reduce crime by creating a presence throughout various locations in Bridgend.
Fire officer Dan Morris said “The aim is to see all the hot spot areas with the PCSOs covering these wards as we are putting together a scheme where we employ fire wardens to patrol certain areas on bike or in a designated vehicle”. A patrol strategy has been set up and officers from SWFRS and the local neighbourhood policing team have already been patrolling hot spot areas on the new mountain bikes.