These police officers and PCSOs will soon become familiar faces to shoppers and businesses in Llanelli as Dyfed-Powys Police has created a dedicated town centre team.
Responding to feedback from members of the public and traders, the force has committed a team of officers to provide a visible presence in the area, providing reassurance and reacting to incidents.
The team will patrol the area, from the Spring Gardens to Eastgate, with PC Aled Davies named as the permanent full-time town centre police officer. He will be supported by PCSO Scott Jones, PCSO Rob Kindred and PCSO Ffion Thomas.
The officers will work closely with partners, traders and licensees to provide the required response to antisocial behaviour and crime in the town centre.
It is a multi-agency approach with officers working alongside members of the Llanelli Business Improvement District (BID), Ymlaen Llanelli, and the Llanelli Town Centre Taskforce led by Carmarthenshire County Council.
Llanelli Inspector Justin Evans said: “It is important that we connect with our communities and ensure the public receives a visible and accessible service.
“The commitment of a dedicated resource to the town centre is not in response to an increase in reported incidents in the area, but is something the public and traders feel is needed, and is a resource we feel can only further enhance our relationship with the people of Llanelli.
“PC Aled Davies has been named as the permanent full-time officer for the area as he has a wealth of experience and a sound knowledge of prolific offenders within the town. He is well-suited and will be able to take a robust approach with offenders, as well as understanding the needs and concerns of local traders. He will become the key point of contact for partner agencies, local businesses and members of the public who frequent the town centre.
“By working in partnership with the local authority, we can tackle any future issues with a multi-agency approach.”
PC Davies added: “The creation of this new team is a positive move, which will encourage a close working relationship between the police and the people who work in and use the town centre.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know the community better, and helping to deal with their concerns. The team has only been in place for a week, and we have already had several successes in detecting shoplifting in the area.”
Cllr Emlyn Dole, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council and Chair of the Llanelli Town Centre Taskforce, said: “I would like to thank Dyfed-Powys Police for their proactive approach to policing the town centre.
“We promised, as a Taskforce, that we would work together to improve the town centre and it’s great to see everyone pulling together – the police, the council, traders and shoppers.
“We have just invested more than £4million purchasing and renovating empty shops with more investment on its way, and the work of Ymlaen Llanelli – the BID team – in putting on events and attracting more footfall into town is all making a big difference. This dedicated police presence will provide the extra reassure that people have asked for.”
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