14 February 2008
A major publicity campaign aimed at highlighting problems caused by mindless vandalism is to be launched by the Safer Caerphilly County Borough Community Safety Partnership.
Criminal damage, often referred to as vandalism, often leads to other forms of anti-social behaviour and crime. It is, on the whole, perceived to be a relatively minor crime, but the consequences certainly should not be underestimated.
Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership has designed an eye-catching publicity campaign, aimed primarily at young adults within the county borough, who are thought to be amongst the worst offenders.
The campaign entitled "Just having a laugh?" includes posters, leaflets and adverts highlighting the far-reaching effects that criminal damage has on the victims and also the wider community.
Promotional items such as bar towels, beer mats and window stickers are also being distributed to licensed premises in the area, to further highlight the problem.
As well as undermining the sense of community pride, criminal damage can also have a huge impact on fear of crime in the area and is a major factor in how people see their quality of life.
The partnership have increased the amount of high visibility policing in hotspot areas, with support from the councils team of Community Safety Wardens. The effectiveness of the county boroughs CCTV cameras in capturing criminal activity is also being highlighted, as is the increasing number of environmental clean up days being organised in the area.
Gwent Police also use hi-tech capture cars across the area, to help tackle vehicle crime and criminal damage. The covert capture cars are fitted with the latest technology to film criminals in the act as they try to break in, steal items left behind or just damage the vehicle. The cars assist in the prosecution of offenders, as well as providing a deterrent, as warning posters are erected in the locality.
Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr David Poole said, "This worthwhile campaign clearly illustrates that significant measures are being implemented in order to combat the problem of criminal damage in our area. Local residents deserve to feel safe going about their lives day to day, and this campaign hopes to do just that."
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