Reducing the fear of crime
Priorities
Torfaen's top police officer says his priority is making people in the area feel safer. The latest figures show that crime is falling but Chief Superintendent Paul Symes' view is that the fear of crime still needs to be tackled.
Talking to us about the challenges he faces, the Divisional Commander said:
"While crime is down the fear of crime is not. That is our immediate challenge and we are working closely with our key partners to develop joint ideas on how we can reduce it. We are currently conducting research with Torfaen Borough Council to better understand what factors impact on this perception. Torfaen remains a safe place to live, work and visit but we continue to target those people who commit crime and disorder in the community."
Chief Superintendent Symes has now been in his post for two years. When he arrived he made some firm commitments. He said:
"When I arrived I gave a commitment to my chief officers, my partners and the communities to remain in post for three years and I'm still here. It takes time to build up trust and confidence and I'm pleased with the progress made."
Neighbourhood policing
Neighbourhood Policing Numbers: Call these numbers for any non-emergency issues. For the Pontypool area call 01495 233902 and for Cwmbran call 01633 642088.
Neighbourhood policing means that every area now has a team directly responsible for solving local problems in partnership with local communities.
Chief Superintendent Symes said: "Recently we have been working on a joint operation to target graffiti - an area where we've had little input in the past. Local officers walk the patch together with local Councillors and other community members and problem areas are identified for joint plans to be put in place to clean them up. These exercises also enable us to better keep in touch with the concerns of local people and most importantly people can see action."
Torfaen's crime statistics
Since 2004:
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Crime overall is down 8.6%
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There has been a 9.4% reduction in burglaries
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Vehicle crime is down 39.7%
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Violent crime is down 4%
Chief Superintendent Symes told us that crime statistics will soon be set against local targets to ensure that police work is aimed at problems specific to an area. He said:
"I am pleased to see that the government is recognising that there are too many nationally-driven targets. The focus should be on targets, which are locally based. It means that local police resources will be used in tackling those issues of concern to local people."
Torfaen Community Safety Partnership
Chief Superintendent Symes said: "We are working so closely with the local authority on issues of shared concern that sometimes we can't see the join between our services and that's great. Together we are tackling problematic licensed premises, using ASBOs and dispersal notices and working with communities in addressing local problems. It has flourished and stands us in good stead. But we still have much more to do to tackle the issues that impact negatively on the quality of life for residents, like anti-social behaviour, graffiti and litter."
Tough on crime
Chief Superintendent Symes said: "I sometimes read in the media about vandalism to schools. What drives people to damage the play areas of young people is beyond me and I can assure you we will do all we can to catch the individuals responsible. It is a sad fact that those responsible are also members of the local community. It is something I care about. I need people to feel confident and name names. The vast majority of young people are law-abiding citizens and we need to ensure we improve our links with them to ensure we are in touch with their needs since they are the citizens of the future."
Connecting with the community
Many Torfaen Councillors hold ward surgeries with their neighbourhood police officers giving residents the chance to get to know them and raise concerns.
A draft version of Gwent Police's Community Engagement Strategy will be available soon for people to give their views. It will show how Gwent Police plan to get closer to the people they serve. Earlier this year Sergeant Mike Pheasant organised a five a side football tournament in Pontypool Park. Over 100 youngsters from 12 schools took part and enjoyed a fun afternoon mixing with their peers and getting to know their neighbourhood police officers. Sergeant Pheasant said: "It's all about integrating with the youngsters and asking them what they want. That's the important thing. By engaging with them during social activities we can discuss issues that affect them and work together with our partners to solve problems and provide activities such as this to keep them entertained."
Gwent Police website
Torfaen is part of Gwent Police's B Division, which also covers Monmouthshire. Its website is a useful way to encourage contact between the community and its police officers. Visit www.gwent.police.uk| and click on B Division. In the neighbourhood officer section you can click on the area you live and see a photo of your neighbourhood officer. It also has the officers' direct phone numbers and email addresses for ease of contact.
Chief Superintendent Symes said: "The email system obviously isn't for an immediate response to an urgent crime. However, the direct dial phone number and email address improve our accessibility. The website helps people put a face to a name so they know which officer is responsible for their area.
"If you have not got a computer don't worry. Free Internet access is available in all of Torfaen's libraries and the many Webster terminals throughout the area."
The future for policing in Torfaen
Summing up what he has achieved for the division over the past two years, Chief Superintendent Symes said:
"When I arrived as Divisional Commander my main aim was to promote greater visibility and accountability for policing services. We have implemented neighbourhood policing and have put more police community support officers (PCSOs) on the streets and people are already telling me that they are seeing improvements.
"I'm proud of the work of my respective teams across the division; they are doing great work in the community and have improved the quality of life for the people we serve. Local residents and Councillors have told me they want more of the same and it is my intention to do just that.
"In Trevethin, for example, I promised to put in four officers. They are still there and continue to work closely with the community.
"We also want to build better links with the business community. Small businesses can ill afford to be victims of burglary, theft and damage and we need to engage more with them to ensure their concerns and issues influence the way my Inspector's deploy their resources."
"In the current financial climate the long term prospects for growth in police officer numbers is slim but I intend to do all I can to build the capacity of the resources working within the community to tackle community safety issues.
"This will include negotiations with the Home Office to secure additional PCSOs for the area but also working jointly with key partners who can direct their resources in helping us to solve problems in the community.
"My experience over the last two years in working with Torfaen Council suggests to me that there is a real will to collectively use our resources to the benefit of the local citizen and this is an area I will be focussing my attention on in the next 12 months.
"People in Torfaen will know that whilst I try not to miss an opportunity to promote the good work carried out by my staff, I am also around when things are not going so well.
"I am also happy to challenge stakeholders when difficult issues arise and have always been around to speak to the media. My wider aim is to promote trust and confidence, not just in the police, but in all those partners myself and my team work with in seeking to improve community safety in Torfaen."