Latest news with #NorthWalesPolice
North Wales Live
4 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Police stopped drivers to test their eyes but found a lot more to worry about
Police stopped motorists to test their eyesight and check road safety, but found themselves busy with a range of misdemeanours. The checks under Op Eyesight were conducted in Flint yesterday (Monday) as part of a road safety operation done by officers from the Roads Crime Unit. It was held at the fire station on Coast Road, which also scrutinised vehicles for roadworthiness, in addition to checking if the eyesight of the driver reached a required standard. A North Wales Police spokesperson said: "All drivers must be able to read a legal, clean registration plate from 20 metres in daylight conditions. "Fortunately, of the 79 drivers stopped, all passed their eyesight test with no issues and the majority continued their journey within a couple of minutes." However, despite positive eyesight results, several TORs (Traffic Offence Report) were handed out to drivers for offences including: 13 x driving without a seatbelt 4 x driving whilst using a mobile phone 2 x no MOT 1 X defective tyre (cord exposed) 4 x driving without insurance 2 x number plate offences 3 x insecure loads 3 x stop searches 2 x PG9 Prohibition Notices issued, which restricts the use of a vehicle on a public road due to safety concerns A driver was also arrested on suspicion of drug driving after testing positive for cannabis at the roadside. He has since been released pending further investigation as officers await the results of further tests. The police spokesperson added: "Two electric scooters were also seized. The law currently permits the use of e-scooters only as part of government-approved rental trials – of which there are none in north Wales, or they can be used on private land with the landowner's permission. Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to use on public roads, pavements and cycle paths. "Further advice and information with regards to e-scooters is available on our website: Advice on e-scooter usage | North Wales Police." Sergeant Duncan Logan of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: 'Good eyesight is essential for safe driving, and we make no apologies in trying to reduce serious and fatal collisions in line with road safety initiatives such as this one held yesterday. 'Road safety is everyone's responsibility, and every single day we act against those responsible for illegal driving. 'Further operations will be carried out over the upcoming months as we are committed to making the roads of north Wales as safe as possible. If this operation prevented one person from being injured or worse, killed – then we see it as a success.'
North Wales Live
6 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Seagull airgun shooting in North Wales seaside town sparks police probe
A seagull was left with a large wound after being shot in a residential area. North Wales Police (NWP) are appealing for the public's help after the bird was found in Llandudno Junction, Conwy. The NWP rural crime team said the seagull was discovered in the town's Maes Cwstennin area on the morning of July 4. The bird was examined by vets, who confirmed it had been shot by an air weapon. A team spokesperson said: 'All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside act. Additionally, officers are concerned about an air weapon being used in a residential area, which could have injured members of the public or family pets as well.' Herring gulls divide opinion in many seaside towns and on occasion they have been targeted by residents. Last year the NWP rural crime team said they received 'numerous reports' of the illegal shooting of gulls. Many of the incidents were on coastal parts of Denbighshire, along the Abergele /Pensarn area of Conwy. It is understood air rifles were used in the incidents – police warned this could constitute a firearms offence. In June 2018, three gulls were feared shot dead with an air rifle in Prestatyn, Denbighshire. In another notorious incident, a seagull was left wandering around the streets of Rhyl with a crossbow bolt sticking out from its head. Others, in Towyn, are thought to have been similarly targeted. More recently, bird lovers have flagged another disturbing trend – people apparently scattering food across roads and filming gulls being run over. Herring gulls are a species of conservation concern in the UK with populations in decline. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox The RSPCA has condemned the attacks, urging coastal communities to treat their wildlife 'with kindness'. Anybody with information that could help the rural crime team with the latest seagull attack should contact the NWP website or call 101, quoting reference 25000552700.
Rhyl Journal
10 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Rhyl: Males ‘de-arrested' following public order incident
This was shortly after 9pm, in the Maes y Gog area, on Sunday evening (July 20). Two Sur-Ron electric bikes were later found and seized, while the two males were later de-arrested after they 'calmed down'. A North Wales Police spokesperson said: 'A large number of people had gathered on Maes y Gog, who were unhappy that these bikes were being seized. 'Two males who were causing a disturbance over the bikes were arrested for public order offences, but were later de-arrested once they had calmed down.'
North Wales Live
a day ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
Live updates as main road closed following crash with people told 'avoid area'
A road has been closed following a crash. It has happened on the A550 Wrexham Road in Hope, Flintshire, with people urged to avoid the area. A North Wales Police South Flintshire statement said: "Wrexham Road in Hope is currently closed due to a Road Traffic Collision. It will be closed from the Rhos Road Roundabout to the junction of the A550/Hawarden Road in Hope. "Officers are currently on scene. Please avoid the area and consider alternative routes on your travels." This is a breaking news story. We will bring you all the latest as we get it via the live blog below. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. If you have some information you can contact us by following our Twitter feed @northwaleslive - the official North Wales Live account - real news in real time. Or like - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the North Wales Live. Don't forget you can also keep up to date with the latest via the free North Wales Live app. Download it for Apple devices here and Android devices here. North Wales Live has launched a WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone 13:03 KEY EVENT North Wales Police has urged people to avoid a stretch of the A550 after it was closed following a crash. A statement from the force said: Wrexham Road in Hope is currently closed due to a Road Traffic Collision. It will be closed from the Rhos Road Roundabout to the junction of the A550/Hawarden Road in Hope. Officers are currently on scene. Please avoid the area and consider alternative routes on your travels. 13:02 Steve Bagnall Good afternoon. I'll be bringing you live updates on this incident. Steve Bagnall.
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
MP backs summer crime crackdown in Rhyl and Colwyn Bay
The Safer Streets summer scheme aims to target anti-social behaviour in Clwyd North and is part of the Labour Government's broader 'Plan for Change'. The plan includes the recruitment of 13,000 new neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs across the UK, supported by an initial sum of £200 million. Gill German, Labour MP for Clwyd North, said: "People in Clwyd North deserve to feel safe and confident in their local high streets – whether they're shopping, working, or spending time with family and friends. "I've spoken to residents and business owners across Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, and our other town centres, and they've made it clear that tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority." The scheme, backed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, includes Colwyn Bay and Rhyl among more than 500 towns taking part. Residents should expect to see a "stronger, more visible police presence, along with targeted action to clamp down on anti-social behaviour." The initiative is being delivered in partnership with police and crime commissioners, councils, businesses, and community leaders. In North Wales, Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin has worked with partners to develop plans focused on both prevention and enforcement. These include banning persistent offenders from town centres and increasing support for community-led safety schemes. Since the scheme launched on June 30, North Wales Police have increased foot patrols. Officers have engaged with the public through events such as Cuppa with a Copper and carried out enforcement activity. During the first week, officers made arrests and executed warrants resulting in seizures of Class A drugs, cash, mobile phones, and drug paraphernalia. The crackdown is set to run until September 30. Ms German said she has seen first-hand the value of visible, community-focused policing. She said: "Last week, I was pleased to join Inspector Matthew Kelly-Smith for a walkabout in Colwyn Bay town centre, where we discussed the benefits of an increased police presence and the importance of visible, community-focused policing. "I also spent time with Police Community Support Officers on their regular patrol in Rhyl West, hearing directly from them about the challenges they face and the positive impact their presence can have in reassuring the public and preventing crime. "That's why I welcome this summer crackdown – with more officers on the beat, real action to tackle anti-social behaviour, and support for our young people. "I'll keep working closely with North Wales Police and local partners to make sure Clwyd North gets the support it needs to build safer, stronger, and more vibrant communities. "I'm really pleased to see this government prioritising neighbourhood safety through proper investment in local policing. "There's still a way to go, but we're making meaningful progress together." The government is also launching a new Tackling Retail Crime Together Strategy. This aims to use shared intelligence to protect shops and workers from organised, repeat, and opportunistic offenders. Ms Cooper said the crackdown sends a clear message to offenders. She said: "I have called on police forces and councils to work together to deliver a summer blitz on town centre crime, to send a clear message to those people who bring misery to our towns that their crimes will no longer go unpunished. "The fact that Rhyl and Colwyn Bay have signed up shows the strength of feeling locally on this issue. "Through our Safer Streets Mission and Plan for Change, we are putting officers back on the beat where you can see them and making our town centres safe again."
