Fintshire: Inspector issues update on crime prevention schemes

Inspector Wesley Williams, of the North Flintshire policing team, said he set out three areas he was keen for officers to work on when he took on the role three months ago - these being engagement, problem solving and targeted activity.

Inspector Williams said: "Before I go any further, I understand that we don’t always get everything right. Sometimes we need to try different things before we get the right solution.

"I can assure you that we will always try our best to do the right thing to get the right outcome for those involved. I am in regular contact with councillors, SMs and MPs to ensure we are all working as one team to better improve the support we provide to our communities. The feedback has been excellent so far."

Inspector Williams said some highlights so far include:

Engagement – His teams are challenging themselves to be visible across the entire district area, with particular focus on high footfall and isolated areas. This is twofold, firstly to enable them to speak with communities to understand what is happening and how officers can support with local initiatives and secondly, to help everyone to be safe.

On Monday, (March 27), patrol teams were able to take a stroll from Queensferry, into Garden City and across the coastal footpath. Not only is this good for patrols, but it also helps the teams get a well-deserved break away from the calls for service which can take a lot out of policing teams.

The inspector said officers are investing heavily in community-based problem solving.

Inspector Williams said: "I am keen for us to get to the root cause of issues, rather than putting plasters on issues. This approach will allow us to work better with partners to enable us all to get into the prevention space."

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Some of the work done by the policing team includes through the Safer Streets initiative in Shotton, where around 500 addresses have been made more secure to reduce the risk of theft.

Additional CCTV cameras have been installed on the streets and youth engagement and increased visibility has helped officers to reduce anti-social behaviour, acquisitive crime, violence against women and girls and the wider community.

Safer Street is an extensive Government funded programme that sees a determination to make streets even safer.

Holywell has also seen an increase in dedicated patrols.

Inspector Williams said: "We are seeing an increase in stop searches in the area, with people being brought into custody for crime and anti-social behaviour as we take a zero-tolerance approach against those that are intent on causing misery within our communities.

"We are seeking longer term investment in the area to ensure our efforts are sustainable and have a long-lasting legacy.

"Flint Retail Park has also been an area of priority. I have been pleased to hear the positive news stories as our teams are now connecting youths to services."

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He added: "I am also grateful for the great partnership working with the local businesses who are supporting, one of which has offered to support youths with work experience and writing CVs to try to turn people away from anti-social behaviour and into employment."

Inspector Williams said: "We are also making significant in-roads into our response to domestic abuse. Our positive outcomes are improving, which demonstrates our zero-tolerance stance that we are taking to remove those that are causing significant harm to individuals behind closed doors.

Inspector Wesley Williams (Image: UGC)

"Our approach is enabling us to safeguard victims and families. We will continue to work with support agencies to make a real difference."

There have also been several focused initiatives to tackle county lines across the district, including Operation Medusa.

"Our teams are heavily investing in identifying and protecting vulnerable people that are preyed on by those involved in supplying drugs," inspector Williams said.

"Our approach will include our neighbourhood teams proactively visiting those that are being exploited through cocooning. Our visits will include checks of their addresses to ensure they are not being exploited and have support available to safeguard them and to improve their lives."