Third of Welshpool crime is anti-social behaviour

More than one in three crimes reported in Welshpool are classed as anti-social behaviour, and a new £400,000 initiative has been launched to counter the problem.

Dyfed-Powys Police has launched the two-year programme in conjunction with Grŵp Gwalia, a Welsh not-for-profit organisation, and it will be funded from Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon's budget.

Figures show that of the 100 Welshpool crimes reported in November and December last year, 35 were classed as anti-social behaviour.

Mr Salmon explained: “I want to keep communities safe against problems that blight their lives. I hope this scheme will prevent small things becoming crimes. Gwalia offer an innovative solution – they already have great experience in communities and in dealing with antisocial behaviour.

“I’m focused on improving behaviour and tackling causes of antisocial behaviour. Gwalia will work with families to give young people responsibility and respect.”

Craig Williams and Jo Powell (pictured) are the day-to-day leaders of the new service which will call upon specialists across the force area.

Mr Williams explained: “We will address this big challenge, reduce its impact and work to make communities safer. We promise a flexible and responsive service ensuring people feel safe.”

The team will identify and manage risk to people who have experienced antisocial behaviour. For victims, there will be easy access to advocacy, mediation and practical help to keep them and their property safe.

Other aspects of the service will include information sharing between organisations working with victims and the issuing of warning letters to perpetrators.

The force said that the Gwalia service, which costs around £200,000 annually, will run to March 2017 and may continue beyond that if successful.

Those suffering antisocial behaviour should call the police on 101. Each case will be risk-assessed to decide how it is handled, with Police attending where necessary and Gwalia coordinating the necessary response from all relevant agencies.