CRIME AND COMMUNITY

Parking still an issue for residents

Traffic and parking problems remained an issue for residents, attending the October meeting of Grangetown PACT.

Local police said they had issued 87 fixed penalty notices for parking offences over the last few weeks in the area, with more than half in the prority area of Clare Road and Pentre Street. PCSOs and traffic wardens are being directed to deal with enforcement and traffic problems around matches at the new Cardiff City stadium.

Meanwhile, there was a renewed call for CCTV for Grange Gardens, in the wake of recent youth annoyance and gang issues. Arrests have also been made and court appearences in the pipeline.

Drug-dealing is to be a PACT priority for the coming month. Police said one person had been bailed following a seizure of class A and class B drugs. Residents reported dealing was still a problem from bikes in some areas.

Litter and dealing with cycling on the pavement were the two other priorities set.

The next PACT meeting will be held at the Samaj Centre, Mardy Street, on Tuesday 24th November, 7pm.

SEPTEMBER 2009: Crackdown on park problems

Police hope a crackdown on youth annoyance in the Grange Gardens area may be followed by the setting up of park watch and neighbourhood watch schemes later in the year.

A large number of residents attended the July meeting of Grangetown PACT, which heard of problems of anti-social behaviour in the evening. Councillors arranged to have the park close at 9pm, while more police and park ranger patrols were arranged. In the meantime, eight Asbo referrals are in the pipeline, the September meeting of PACT was told. Councillor Francesca Montemah Montemaggi said she has asked for a CCTV camera to be in installed. "As I mentioned at the last PACT meeting, I know that this is an important issue that is affecting local residents in the proximity of the park," she wrote in her blog. "I don’t expect the problem to go away overnight, but I am confident in the work of the police."

JULY/AUGUST 2009: Anti-social behaviour in park areas tackled

Grangetown PACT in July set policing priorities to tackle youth annoyance in both the Grange Gardens and Courtmead Gardens areas, which are being used for anti social activities. Meanwhile, local councillors are to look into complaints of general litter in the Grangetown area. Problems associated with white bag food collections have been reported. Problems of drug-dealing will be another priority, with plain clothes police involved in the operation.

Officers reported issuing 51 Asbo referrals, 22 arrests, conducted 66 searches and located and closed one drug factory since 21 May.

Grangetown resdidents were also praised for their assistance in the recent Operation Clean Sweep in mid July, which targeted illegal flytipping, untaxed vehicles, and criminal damage. The Safer Capital operation was led by Pcso Matt Taylor who briefed colleagues and partner agencies in Grange Gardens. Pcso Taylor said: "We would normally carry out briefings in the police station but we decided to do this morning’s briefing in the park in the heart of the community.

"We aware there have been issues in Grange Gardens with anti social behaviour and criminal damage and we want to show residents that we are being proactive in tackling their concerns. "There is evidence that cleaning up neighbourhoods can reduce incidents of crime and disorder and I hope residents will notice the difference in the area following this multi-agency action day. I would like to pass on my thanks to all those involved and a special thanks to local resident Val Howard who assisted in the clearing of litter."

MAY/JUNE 2009: Operation Owl tackles behaviour issues

Grangetown PACT raised the issue of speeding vehicles in Cornwall Street, with a request for the Safety Camera Partnership to attend and survey area.

There is also concern about parking and obstructions in Pentre Gardens/Coed Cae Street with particular attention to disabled bays throughout Grangetown. Issues of anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of Cornwall Street, Court Road, Avondale and City Gardens were raised at a previous meeting. Operation Owl was set up to combat anti-social behaviour, identify offenders and reduce the problem whilst reassuring residents.

The operation was led by Pc Reed who involved CCTV van, mobile police station, and mounted section and the operational support team. The mobile station was situated at Holmesdale Street near Grange Gardens, Paget Street and Cornwall Street. Only one incident of note was reported on the 24th May, when a large group of youths had congregated on Holmesdale Street causing a general nuisance. A number were checked regarding this and Asbo referrals submitted for these individuals. Youth leaders and staff of Channel View leisure centre have been spoken to in relation to this. Regular patrols have been conducted in the area as well as visits to the youth clubs. A further operation has been planned.

Dog fouling and misuse of gardens at Pentre and Merches Gardens was reported. An environmental action group meeting with Communities First is looking into this further.

APRIL/MAY 2009: Anti-social behaviour and traffic issues + Parking zone hope with stadium

Anti-social behaviour remains a priority issue in both north and south Grangetown over the next few weeks.

The April meeting of Grangetown PACT heard about the ongoing operation to deal with problems in the Avondale Gardens area of lower Grangetown, involving both high-visibility and plain clothes police. There are also reports from residents of recurring problems in the Courtmead Gardens and Cornwall Street areas, which will also be a priority, with Powderham Drive and Pentre Gardens included for the next few weeks.

The meeting also heard of worries over traffic speed in Cornwall Street, where residents are waiting for a pedestrian crossing, while some residents expressed misgivings about the location of another pedestrian crossing in Clare Road so close to the Penarth Road/Paget Street junction, while traffic build up was causing problems for pedestrians and motorists alike at the new Pendyris Street zebra crossing.

Councillors are hoping for controlled residents' parking in the north Grangetown and City Gardens area, to coincide with the new Cardiff City stadium opening - there was a call for the full impact on the whole of the area from parking issues to be examined, so streets which may otherwise be left on the fringes are not made to suffer a knock-on effect.

Residents also brought up concerns about the 101 call system, with one complaining of an eight day wait for a call on a back yard break-in to be dealt with.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009: Anti-social behaviour in Grange Gardens and Channel View areas

Anti-social behaviour in two areas of Grangetown is to be targeted as PACT priorities for the next few weeks.

There have been problems in the Grange Gardens area, while residents have also reported vandalism and car break-ins in homes off Jim Driscoll Way, which together with issues reported in nearby Avondale Gardens and The Marl area have now led police to make it a priority.

Residents also want traffic problems tackled in the Penarth Road area, especially at the Clare Road and Corporation Road junction tackled. Councillors have also suggested a strategic look at city-wide traffic issues may be the best approach.

Police reported 13 Asbo referrals had been put in the system; there were 28 arrests over the previous six week period for a variety of offences, including drugs, with recovery of cannabis from a "factory." Meanwhile, 398 parking tickets were issued, with penalties totalling £12,000.

Residents reported the recent operation to tackle prostitution seemed to be having an effect, while police continued to be on top of anti-social behaviour issues in North Grangetown.

Prostitution operation nets results

The operation to tackle prostitution and kerb crawlers in Grangetown and other areas of Cardiff is seeing cautions of women running at more than one a day.

The January meeting of Grangetown PACT was told that in the first two months, 66 cautions to women had been issued, and two warrants for arrests for persistent offenders. A total of 31 motorists, suspected of kerb crawling or driving suspiciously in the area, received warning letters. Twenty drivers agreed to enter into behaviour contracts - which if breached can lead to prosecution, fines and cars being impounded and crushed. One breach is already being tackled. Those men caught range from the age of 19 to 67. The meeting was told that the success was leading to fewer women operating on the streets and fewer kerb crawlers. But some men had left their cars at home and were travelling by train. Residents were told to continue to be vigilant, especially for any prostitutes moving to side streets, and to report any activity to police/101.

Police also reported that anti-social behaviour and drug dealing continued to be tackled in north Grangetown, with lower numbers now involved than before. "Disruption and dispersal" was leading to follow-ups in other parts of the city. Improved street lighting at key points on street corners were also being looked to, while police pledged to continue their operations, plain clothed and otherwise.

Following up on residents' concerns over illegal parking, 287 tickets had been issued over the last six weeks. Residents were also urged to report problems to 101, ranging from fly-tipping, defective street lights, as part of Operation Clean Sweep, which sees police and council, joining with other agencies to tackle issues. Residents should quote "Operation Clean Sweep" when they call.

PACT priorities for January and February are: Anti-social behaviour/drugs, particularly in north Grangetown; youth annoyance/vandalism in the Avondale Gardens area; and dog fouling issues in local parks.

Focus on North Grangetown

Sgt Calum Macleod told North Grangetown Residents' Association that high-visibility policing would continue in the north Grangetown area, following anti-social behaviour and annoyance from drug-dealing reported in the autumn. Intelligence from the public had helped in the operation to disrupt drug-dealing and move it out of the area, while £25,000 worth of class A drugs, such as crack cocaine and heroin had been seized and some are in custody.

Reports of nuisance from motorbikes and dogs had also fallen. Residents expressed concern about an incident of missiles being thrown at a contractor working on a house. Police spoke to reassure residents and builders that officers were continuing their presence in the area and that incidents had fallen. Temporary builders' storage sheds in Rutland Street were also being removed. Residents gave details of a mugging in Pendyris Street but police told tesidents in general crime in the area was still low.

There was also discussion at tackling the causes of young people moving into crime and anti-social behaviour, while police were looking at approaches in the West Midlands. As well as projects to engage young people, the West Midlands approach includes civil action and threats of eviction to tenants who or their family members are convicted of anti-social behaviour.

Farewell from community officer

Grangetown-based community constable Pc Melanie Rowlands is saying her goodbyes to people in the area, as she leaves for a new life and job in New Zealand.

She is emigrating in the middle of January to work for the police over in New Zealand and asked us to pass on her regards to those she has worked with in the area.

"I have enjoyed working the area and will miss all the people I have worked closely with over the years," she said.

Pc Rowlands has been a well known, popular and hard-working presence in the area over the last few years and she will leave with the best wishes of many in the area who have got to know her.

Residents at January's Grangetown PACT meeting expressed their thanks and asked for best wishes to be passed on to her for the future.

Over the last 10 months, she has been seconded to work on a project to develop a strategy for police and other agencies to deal with prostitution and kerb crawling in Cardiff, including part of Grangetown, the results of which are currently being put into place.

Thanks - and best of luck Mel!

Map zooms in on Grangetown crime stats You can now find out up-to-date crime statistics for the Grangetown area, after police forces in Wales started online maps for incidents. You just go to the map search engine on the South Wales Police website and type in your postcode or "Grangetown". It then brings up monthly figures - proportions and actual crimes - including a breakdown for incidents like burglary, violence, anti-social behaviour and car crime. You can compare past months and the same period in the year before. You can click elsewhere on the map to bring up crime statistics for other parts of the city or force area. The database will also rate crime in the different postcode areas. Grangetown was rated in the November 2008 figures as "average" for crime. Compared to this time last year, crime in this area has decreased by 12.2% over the September to November period. There were an average 183 crimes a month for the quarter, compared to 208 in 2007. Compared to this time last year, burglary in this area has decreased by 61.3%, robbery by 27.3% and vehicle crime is down by 39.7%. Violence crime was also down 4.6%, with an average of 28 incidents. However, anti-social behaviour had risen a little (0.3%) and was above average for the city with 203 incidents on average a month. More information

DECEMBER 2008: Crackdown on kerb crawlers

A police operation to tackle kerb crawling and prostitution in Grangetown has led to cautions and motorists being sent warning letters.

The operation from November 10th in Grangetown led to in the first three weeks 49 cautions being given to women and 29 motorists being sent warning letters, while another 12 persistent kerb crawlers signed a contract not to approach women for sex. Those breaking the contract risk prosecution. The Grangetown PACT meeting was told that the operation was "ongoing for the forseeable future."

Police are targeting those areas, and others in Splott, where residents have suffered persistent nuisance.

Local community officer, Pc Melanie Rowlands, who has been seconded to develop a local strategy to deal with the issue, said: "This operation is not just about patrolling areas to take action against prostitutes but also about identifying those involved in street prostitution and offering them routes out of this destructive way of life."

PACT priorities for December are prostitution, anti-social behaviour in the north Grangetown and City Gardens areas, and parking enforcement. Police said 273 fixed penalties had been issued for parking in the last few weeks, with enforcement promised to be ongoing. Residents complained of commuter parking problems, as well as on match/event days.

You can now also find more details of PACT and community policing in Grangetown and across the whole of South Wales on the Our Bobby.com website.

The 101 call centre is to continue after doubts following news that the Home Office said it would not fund the service beyond the end of March. The line was rescued after a deal involving the group of councils, including Cardiff, which had been using the service. The line to report non-emergency crime, nuisance behaviour and problems such as fly-tipping has been running since 2006 in a joint partnership between South Wales Police and Cardiff Council. Police website

Crackdown hits low-level crime

An all-day operation to hit driving, rubbish and drugs offences led to four arrests and 12 vehicles being removed in Grangetown. Operation Hilcock in September involved police using their automatic number plate recognition system, Cardiff Council's waste management unit, highways officials, DVLA, the Environment Agency and local police working together on the ground. The aims were to tackle environmental issues such as fly-tipping, removal of abandoned/untaxed vehicles, removal of dumped waste, checking vehicles for waste compliance, etc. At the same time all sorts of other offences were detected.

In all 11 vehicles were clamped for not having road tax, a further 12 uninsured or abandoned cars were removed, while 56 bags of dumped rubbish were seized.

Police chief says 101 call line is the answer

South Wales chief constable Barbara Wilding was at the May 2007 meeting of Grangetown PACT, when she said that the 101 call system had helped pay for more police on the beat in Cardiff.

Ms Wilding said her force was facing underinvestment and a growing £10m deficit, but defended the first year of the "lower-priority" call centre as freeing up police to work on more urgent cases. "It's making the best use of what we've got," she told the meeting. The system helped weed out and prioritise non-urgent cases, so police resources could be concentrated on emergencies and crime-solving - so officers "can solve the problem not just work with the effect."

Instead of dealing with 91% of calls - which can range from nuisance, vandalism to fly-tipping - police were responding to 70%. In financially tough times, it had enabled South Wales Police in Cardiff to put more officers out in the community and also create community support officer teams. Ms Wilding said they were bidding to continue with the Home Office-funded scheme, which started in May 2006 and works in partnership with Cardiff Council. She hoped to expand it to work in other force areas. Ms Wilding said it was important that people knew when to dial 999 (for an emergency) and how the 101 system worked, but agreed there needed to be improvements.

Meanwhile, the meeting heard that extra patrols seemed to have had an effect on the numbers of burglaries, following particular concerns expressed in South Grangetown and the Avondale Road areas. Incidents were down by two thirds, with 15 break-ins reported in April and eight in the first two weeks of May. Police are planning operations to target stolen and suspect vehicles using hi-tech registration detectors over the next month.

They also want to target areas for high profile policing where there have been problems. One particular area in recent weeks for anti-social behaviour has been in North Grangetown area, with problems reported in Compton Street, Court Road, Stafford Road, Allerton Street and Courtmead Gardens. There have been six referrals for Asbos and one Asbo being drawn up. Police were also aware of complaints about rowdy behaviour associated with the Neville pub. Residents also raised the issue of parking problems, associated with matchday and commuter traffic and illegal student parking (associated with the Bakery flats complex).

Prostitution and kerb crawling was again an issue raised, with police now about to bring in letters which would be sent to home addresses of vehicle-keepers spotted using the area. Police would also start drawing up Asbo contracts to ban persistent kerb crawlers from the area or from approaching women. Officers had also issued 30 cautions and made six arrests of prostitutes in recent weeks. Research is also being carried out by a local agency into the causes of the women turning to prostitution, as part of the overall approach.

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAM: Local police constables and community support officers Pc 977 Melanie Rowlands; PCSO 53952 Nia Thomas and PCSO 54469 Katie Clatworthy (North Grangetown); Pc Dane Sharp (672), CSO Cari Brookman (South Grangetown); Pc Andy Burke (4076), PCSO 53910 Paul Carpenter (Coastal Grangetown) Insp Steve Murray, Sgt Calum Macleod, Cardiff Bay Police Station, Walters Building, Clarence Road, Butetown, Cardiff Tel: 101 (non emergency), 999 (emergency), 029 20 491 204 (other enquiries, station) Grangetown community police webpage

Police look to increase Grangetown presence

South Wales Police have reassured people in Grangetown that there will be a permanent police presence in the area, during the two-year building of a new police headquarters in Butetown.

Chief Inspector Steve Turner, who is based in Grangetown and Cardiff Bay, told a Police And Communities Together (PACT) meeting that he wanted to "allay fears" and "put to bed" rumour over what would happen during building work for the new £17m divisional headquarters for Cardiff. He said police and community support officers would be housed in the Walters Building in nearby Clarence Road, while there would also be a police presence in a portacabin on site.

"We're not leaving Grangetown during the time of the building - there will be a significant presence which if anything we will be increasing over the next couple of years."

The new four-storey HQ for Cardiff - to replace the one in Cathays Park - will include 60 custody suites, traffic control and a coroner's court and be built on the site of the current, much smaller Butetown station. But police decided against a temporary reopening of the disused small station in Dorset Street as the upgrade would be too expensive.

The old station has been demolished and an artist's impression of the new HQ was unveiled in October 2007.

The chief inspector said plans were under way for more community beat officers in Grangetown, with officers being redeployed from patrol cars and response units. It was part of the force's new neighbourhood police strategy, which involved developing PACT, so local communities had a say in setting police priorities. He said: "I want a balance between response to 999 calls and community policing so we don't put either in jeopardy." He said the force had been advertising internally for officers who wanted to work in Grangetown. Eventually, police chiefs hope to have 10 community officers in the area, with the first six and a sergeant starting over the next few months.

The chief inspector said latest crime figures for Grangetown showed burglaries had dropped 42% over the year, assaults were also down, although anti-social and nuisance behaviour had risen.

Police also plan a month-long crackdown on prostitution in the Penarth Road area as residents continued to complain of nuisance. Around 70 women are estimated to work in the area and police said they were working on a long-term strategy. But residents are continuing complaining of harrasment and nuisance from kerb crawlers. One female resident said: "It's clearly upsetting, very distressing and stressful there." Police explained the cautioning and arrest procedure with the women, and also writing to kerb crawlers and the use of Asbos.

Police also were continuing to work on tackling drug dealing in lanes in south Grangetown and had acted after complaints over cannabis dealing at a house in the area.

Meanwhile, police hoped that some communication difficulties experienced by residents with the new 101 call centre for "less urgent" crime calls would be ironed out. However, a few days later the system - which was trialled in Cardiff - was "put on hold" by the Home Office.