ON A RECENT visit to Wrexham, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for North Wales Andy Dunbobbin and North Wales Police Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman showed partners how a UK Government-funded campaign against crime and anti-social behaviour, dubbed the Winter of Action, is having a positive effect in reducing crime in the town centre.
The Winter of Action was launched across the country before Christmas to bring together Police, local authorities, and businesses to protect shoppers, retail workers, and those engaged in the nighttime economy. Here in North Wales, North Wales Police and Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin are working together to put this national plan into action at local level.
Over the winter this has meant Police in several areas using hotspot patrols, quick visible enforcement, and locally tailored approaches, working closely with businesses and community groups to clamp down on shop theft and street crime. As well as Wrexham and towns and villages surrounding the city, these locations include, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Holywell, Flint, Denbigh, Colwyn Bay, Bangor, Holyhead, Caernarfon, Pwllheli, Porthmadog, and Mold.
The group had a meeting at Wrexham Police Station where PCC Dunbobbin and Chief Constable Blakeman heard about a number of initiatives that Police are undertaking to keep Wrexham residents and visitors safe. There was then a walkaround in Wrexham City Centre through Queen’s Square, Henblas Street, The Butchers’ Market, High Street, and Queen Street. Local Officers, including District Inspector Rhodri Ifans and Sergeant Sarah Hughes-Jones, highlighted a number of successes over recent months to the visitors:
- Officers in the city have been pioneering community policing approach at Wrexham AFC, involving problem-solving and early intervention to create a safer match day experience for everyone.
- Police are continuing to strengthen early intervention activity through a dedicated PCSO resource at Youth Justice. The role focuses specifically on ASB related issues and emerging youth related demand, working proactively alongside Youth Justice Service staff within the community.
- Neighbourhood officers are collaborating with Wrexham Council Licensing, conducting regular licensing checks within the city centre’s nighttime economy. These visits ensure compliance, raise standards of safety, and address concerns early by supporting both premises’ staff and the wider community.
- In partnership with the Roads Crime Unit of North Wales Police, action is targeting anti-social driving and associated road related offences in the city centre, with positive outcomes around vehicle compliance checks, insurance and documentation enforcement, and drink and drug driving detections.
- A dedicated safer travel operation has focused on the main route between Wrexham City Centre and Llangollen which provided increased visibility and reassurance. The enhanced patrol presence has improved confidence for bus drivers, reassured members of the local community who rely on the route, and helped deter ASB and disorder in and around bus stations.
- The medical support hub at Hafan y Dre, at the bottom of Town Hill is open on Saturday nights enabling early intervention with individuals in crisis, reduction in ambulance demand, and support for vulnerable people within the city centre.
- The recently opened Butchers’ Market Community Policing Hub, dubbed the ‘Cop Shop’, is a dedicated community policing point designed to increase accessibility and visibility within Wrexham City Centre. The hub is staffed by officers and police staff on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, offering a regular and approachable point of contact for residents, traders, and visitors.
North Wales as a whole has seen positive reductions in anti-social behaviour with a 22% drop in crime across Winter of Action hotspot locations and a reduction in serious violence in 9 of the 11 targeted areas. There are currently 25 projects ongoing to reduce crime right across these hotspot locations.
PCC Andy Dunbobbin commented: “As Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, the safety and security of residents is hugely important for me.
“Therefore, I am delighted that the UK Government has funded the Winter of Action across the UK and I am pleased it is having such a positive effect locally here in North Wales.
“This was clear to me on my visit to Wrexham where the local Neighbourhood Policing Team has been doing outstanding work in reducing ASB over the winter.
“I know that North Wales Police share my determination to see a North Wales that is safer and more secure for all residents and our town centres are a vital step in this mission.”
Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman of North Wales Police said: “We are united in our commitment to increasing visible policing in our communities and the proactive work being undertaken in Wrexham shows what can be achieved by working in partnership.
“The public deserve to feel safe in our cities and towns, and these focused initiatives show that targeted, sustained action can make a real difference to community safety.
“I would like to thank our officers, staff and volunteers as well as our community safety partners, businesses and local residents for working together to ensure we deliver real results.”
