Anti-social behaviour is on the decline in North Wales, policing boss says
The report from North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin says anti-social behaviour (ASB) is down by 4.6% from last year, whilst police attendance at incidents had increased by 5%. Earlier this year, Mr Dunbobbin attended a Llandudno residents' meeting organised by Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders after a spate of vandalism in the resort.
Gangs of youths had been accused of smashing up shelters on the promenade, stealing from hotels, and vandalising Venue Cymru. Mrs Finch-Saunders and Mr Dunbobbin later rowed, disputing crime figures in the town, with the commissioner complaining about Mrs Finch-Saunders instructing residents to log incidents with her office. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox.
But presenting to the panel, Mr Dunbobbin explained he had attended a Home Office briefing in May on keeping town centres safe as part of a neighbourhood policing campaign. He also revealed he'd visited towns across North Wales, including Llandudno.
'Over the last six months, I have been proactive in engaging with local communities to listen to concerns affecting them around ASB, including visits to Prestatyn, Llandudno, Llangefni, and Buckley,' said Mr Dunbobbin.
'In addition, I have also been out on patrol with officers in Holyhead and Deeside to understand how local police teams are tackling ASB and also joined a sergeant on patrol in Rhyl, during ASB Awareness week, to look at how they are implementing the Clear Hold Build approach to tackling ASB and low-level crime there.'
He added: 'Analysis of ASB shows that incidents have reduced by 4.6% this year across North Wales compared to last year; low level behaviours continue to account for most events. Although recorded incidents have reduced, attendance has increased by 5%, and I hope this shows the level of policing commitment to victims of ASB.'
The commissioner also revealed he had visited Rhosmeirch, Anglesey, in February, where police had put in place a 'community alert messaging system'.
The crime commissioner's report also detailed £92,080.94 – increasing to £200K in 2025/26 – to fund various community schemes aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour, including the relaunch of a 'Summer Sports' project for young people during school holidays.
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