Meet Flintshire South's Neighbourhood Policing Team Sergeant

Sergeant Kerry Nash, of the South Flintshire Neighbourhoods Policing Team, took up her role in February.

She spent her first nine years on duty in Rhyl as a PC, then joined the South Flintshire team in 2011.

As well as overseeing the district's neighbourhood team (NPT), she is also a POLSA - a Police Search Advisor, which sees her working across the force area in the search for high risk missing persons.

We caught up with Sgt Nash and Sgt Emma Prevete at Mold Police Station to find out what officers have been dealing with lately and what is coming up.

Thefts of number plates and twilight crime
Sgt Prevete said, as has been the case in other areas, there have been reports of number plate thefts from vehicles - which she said may be linked to cloning vehicle plates, or making off without payment offences at petrol stations.

"I would encourage people to get a Ring doorbell if they can," she said, "and security lights."

Sgt Nash added: "As we are coming into the Autumn, we do see an increase in crime.

"It attracts twilight burglars - we would advise keeping lights on when you're not home and making it look like someone is home.

"We do give out crime prevention advice and I'd encourage people to sign up to out community alerts.

"The community alerts has been very positive so far and the more people who sign up, the better."

READ MORE: Meet Flintshire South's Neighbourhood Policing Team Sergeant

Suicide prevention and working with vulnerable people
As part of World Suicide Prevention Day, on Saturday, September 10 the Sergeants have urged anyone who may be struggling to reach out for help.

Sgt Prevete said: "We don't just deal with crime - around 50 per cent of what we do is crime and the other 50 is our work with a lot of vulnerable people, and those in crisis.

"There's a lot of pressure on police officers, and we're not professions in mental health.

"We have training and we have skills that we bring to the table as people - we try our best to safeguard people."

Sgt Nash said: "Anyone who is contemplating suicide; it's ok not to be ok.

"I would urge them to reach out for help before it becomes a crisis."

Cuckooing and protecting residents
The Sergeants also urged residents to be on the lookout for signs of 'cuckooing' - which refers to the way in which criminals take over the homes of vulnerable people for activities such as drug dealing - as seen in county lines operations.

Sgt Prevete has urged people to be mindful if they see different people coming in and out of the property in question, for long periods of time.

Other signs may include the resident not being as active as usual, or in the case of youths or children being involved in the activities of criminal gangs; new clothes, shoes or phones, and money.

Anyone who has information about a property they have concerns about can call police on 101, or contact Crimestoppers.

Concerns can also be reported via the North Wales Police Webchat or by speaking to local officers.

READ MORE: Police warning over stolen number plates in Flintshire

Dogs on leads
Sgt Nash said the team has received complaints about dogs not being fully under the owners' control, or off leads.

She added while the dogs in question may not be dangerous, their behaviour may be perceived to be intimidating or frightening to children or others.

She said: "Please be mindful and think about what people's perceptions may be.

"I'd also ask people to consider the types of dogs they are getting - not all dogs are suitable for all houses.

"I'd ask them to think about whether they have the means and facilities to accommodate those dogs."

Who are my local officers and how can I contact them?

The NPT comprises PC Rosie Humphries, PC Natalie Williams, PC Ian Pearson, PC Ian Tapley as well as a team of PCSOs dedicated to certain areas of Flintshire South.

Here's how you can get in touch with them:

Mold, Nercwys, Gwernaffield, Gwernymynydd, Pantymwyn, Cadole, Eryrys, Caerwys, Halkyn, Brynford, Cilcain, Rhydymwyn, Lixwm, Nannerch

PCSO 3928 Connor Freel
Tel: 07974 240748
Connor.Freel@northwales.police.uk

PCSO 2932 Emma Owen 
Tel: 07854333287 
Emma.Owen@northwales.police.uk

Mynydd Isa, Penyffordd, Penymynydd, Buckley, Hawarden, Ewloe Northop, Sychdyn, Northop Hall, New Brighton

PCSO 4412 Rachel Duddle
Tel: 07811 713427
Rachel.duddle@northwales.police.uk

PCSO 4404 Lucy DAVIES
Tel: 07814 075619 
Lucy.Davies@northwales.police.uk 

PCSO 4423 Lewis Jones 
Lewis.jones@northwales.police.uk

Saltney, Bretton, Saltney Ferry, Broughton, Kinnerton, Hope, Caergwrle, Ffrith, Leeswood, Treuddyn, Llanfynydd, Abermorddu

PCSO 4406 Adelina Olaru 
Tel: 07814 075613 
Adelina.Olaru@northwales.police.uk 

PCSO 3967 Helen Holden 
Tel:07890 388786 
Helen.Holden@northwales.police.uk 

PCSO 3463 Victoria Davies 
Tel:07989 162988 
Victoria.Davies@northwales.police.uk