Friday, 16 February 2007

Crime fight success is example to all

A Crime-busting Swansea community has been held up as an example for others to follow right across the UK.Five years ago the local police station was fire-bombed, with teenagers regularly causing problems.

But in a remarkable turnaround things are now on the up again in the city's Blaenymaes and Portmead areas.

They were yesterday visited by Home Office Minister Tony McNulty, who paid tribute to the work done to make life better for locals.

The Broughton Avenue police station has had a friendly mural painted outside. Officials say it is a telling sign of the community's intent not to give in to the criminal element.

Overall in Swansea, official Home Office figures show a fall in crime of 20 per cent in the past three to four years, a reduction equal to 6,000 fewer victims of crime.

Mr McNulty said he was struck by "the enthusiasm there was from both police and local community leaders in driving crime down and working on a positive way for the area.

Mr McNulty spoke to Swansea East MP Sian James, Swansea East AM Val Lloyd and local councillors and volunteers about the progress shown in tackling crime.

"The absolute vibe is that this has been done from the ground up. This has been achieved with the police, so people in Blaenymaes get a real sense of being part of the solution in tackling crime rather than something being done from above," he said.

Mrs James said: "There has been an overall reduction in crime of 20 per cent in Swansea. One of the things we are talking to the Minister about is how do we showcase the good work going on in Swansea across the policing spectrum?

"There are still things we need to work harder at and improve on.

"You can never really take your foot off the pedal, you have to keep working and making sure the community feels safe."

Val Lloyd said: "The whole community has come together to fight crime in Blaenymaes. Good results in Swansea show that local people are serious about tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and that partnership working is effective."

Portmead resident Jim Hopper said the community still had its problems, but things had improved in recent years.

He added: "We still have our fair share of troublemakers, but I think there is a general feeling that we will not let them win.''