05 August 2009
During an eight-week dispersal notice in Ty-Sign, Risca, police officers dispersed 40 people from the area.
The dispersal notice, which came into effect on 1 June 2009, enabled officers to disperse groups of two or more people if they had reasonable grounds for believing any members of the public were being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed as a result of their behaviour. The individuals could be directed to leave the area for up to 24 hours.
There were also 25 fewer calls reporting anti-social behaviour during the period of the dispersal notice, compared to the eight weeks prior (6 April – 31 May). There were 129 calls relating to anti-social behaviour between 1 June and 27 July 09, and 154 calls between 6 April and 31 May.
The notice was advertised in the area to encourage residents to report any incidents of anti-social behaviour.
Inspector Richard Brake, said: "The dispersal notice is just one of the methods that we are using to help tackle issues in the area. We encourage residents to report all incidents of anti-social behaviour that they witness, so that we can continue to take appropriate action. We want the local community to be involved in helping to identify the problems and solutions for their community. There are clearly longer-term issues with anti-social behaviour that need addressing and we are continuing to patrol the area of Ty-Sign regularly and undertaking intelligence-led policing beyond the period of the dispersal notice.
"We are also working with our partners to identify diversionary activities to provide young people with positive ways to spend their time. We are committed to working proactively to help make the area of Ty-Sign a quieter area for residents to live in."
Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman, said: "Caerphilly County Borough Council, together with our colleagues at Gwent Police take anti-social behaviour and quality of life issues very seriously.
"Our teams of Community Safety Wardens and CCTV operators will continue to be proactive in addressing anti-social behaviour - we will not tolerate a very small minority adversely affecting the lives of the majority, and the dispersal notice in Ty Sign is just one of the ways that we are working towards achieving this."
The police also want to encourage the large majority of youths who don't cause problems. So, neighbourhood officers in Risca will be playing a 5-aside football game against local youths on Monday 10th August at 6.30pm at the youth club in Brooklyne Road. You are invited to come along to watch the game.
The officers last played a football game against local youths to raise money for Comic Relief earlier in 2009. It's part of our ongoing efforts to continue building positive relationships with young people in the area.
For further information, please visit the Safer CCB website.
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