We CANDO it! Week long operation in Phillipstown brings pleasing results

30 March 2009

The recent week of high visibility activity in and around the Phillipstown area has been a success. It follows a co-ordinated response to tackle issues highlighted by the local community.

The weeklong CANDO (Community and Neighbourhood Directed Operation) was organised and implemented by the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership, which incorporates agencies including Gwent Police and Caerphilly County Borough Council.

Action undertaken throughout the course of the week included:

• 15 people were arrested or reported for summons for a number of offences, including being drunk and disorderly, possession of drugs and drink driving.
• 2 people were ordered to produce driving documents.
• 1 person received a fixed penalty notice for speeding.
• 1 person was issued with a Section 59 warning, for driving in an anti-social manner.
• 2 school pupils were caught truanting and returned to school during patrols conducted by the Neighbourhood Policing Team and Education Officers from Caerphilly County Borough Council.
• Joint patrols were conducted between the Neighbourhood Policing Team and British Transport Police of the local area to prevent anti-social behaviour.
• Letters offering crime prevention advice were sent to owners of vehicles who had left valuables on display in their vehicles.
• 4 parents have been sent letters, highlighting the behaviour of their children. These count as the first strike in the Anti-Social Behaviour 4 Strikes process.
• 19 people were given advice and support by Drugaid.
• 2 dogs were returned to their owners and 1 dog was impounded by Dog Wardens.
• Graffiti was removed from numerous areas of the village including Fernhill Terrace, Jones Street and the Community Centre.
• Council owned properties in 10 streets were inspected – gardens in need of improvement and instances of fly tipping were identified.
• CCBC's Community Safety Wardens conducted high visibility patrols throughout the duration of the week, and the mobile CCTV van was used as a deterrent for anti-social activity.
• Illicit tipping was removed from several areas of the village, including around the allotments, behind the shop and at the park next to the school. A total of 3.5 tonnes of refuse was collected throughout the course of the week.
• The Hub team from Caerphilly council's Youth Services interacted with local youngsters, creating excellent diversions from possible anti-social activity.

Rhymney Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Craig Thomas, said: "We have worked closely with the local community to gather and act upon intelligence, as well as to deal with priorities that residents have helped to identify through the PACT process. The CANDO in Phillipstown has provided an opportunity for a number of agencies to co-ordinate their activity through a focussed week of activity, in order to positively effect the local community and tackle any local crime and disorder. Residents should be reassured that we will continue to work proactively to prevent crime and disorder."

Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman said, "The results of this recent CANDO in Phillipstown are very pleasing. By working together with our partner agencies, and by pooling our resources and knowledge, we have been able to tackle a number of issues that have blighted the Phillipstown area for a long time.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks, not only to the partner agencies for the superb effort they have put in to ensure the CANDO was a success, but also to the local community. Initiatives such as CANDO are heavily reliant upon the contribution and support of local residents and businesses, and in this case, the support and interest from members of the public has been excellent."